Universal Grotesk is the Czechoslovak version of an early geometric sans serif that originated at Wagner & Schmidt and was cast by various foundries under different names in slightly different versions, see Kristall-Grotesk.

Bertheau dates the design to “around 1920”, and mentions it was released as Universal by the state printing house in Prague (Státny tiskárna) as early as 1922 [Bertheau 1995]. This date is also given in Jaspert, without citation [JBJ]. A 1930s date for Universal Grotesk seems more plausible, and is backed up by mentions in trade annuals in 1934 and 1935. Continued after WWII by Grafotechna. Shown in a 1950s specimen in six styles (three weights, two with italics, plus a bold condensed). A 1966 specimen additionally shows the all-caps open style as Universal Grotesk světlý, see Kristall-Grotesk lichtfett.

Universal Grotesk as shown in the 1966 specimen is distinguished from Kristall-Grotesk as shown in the Schriftenkartei index cards by a number of details: two-story ‘a’, descending ‘f’ (this form can also be found in an early specimen for Kristall-Grotesk), non-descending and barless ‘J’, ‘M’ with high center and vertical stems. No alternates. Universal Grotesk exclusively has forms with pointed apexes in the lighter weights, and exclusively such with blunt apexes in the bold styles.

See Globe Grotesk Display (Jan Charvát, 2014) and Uni Grotesk (Typotheque, 2016) for digital interpretations.