In reply to Typeface design software:
I have found an essay from the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University, Letterform Design Systems by Lynn Ruggles, a PDF of which can be downloaded using the link below (this link will trigger a download depending on your browser):
ftp://reports.stanford.edu/pub/cstr/reports/cs/tr/83/971/CS-TR-83-971.pdf
It includes an overview of the InTeractive Synthesizer of LetterForms (ITSLF) designed by H. W. Mergler and Y. M. Vargo in 1967, the first system in Pedro's infographic. I have only just started reading through this but it actually addresses your initial request very nicely.