By the way, the "long" and "short" S were commonly used in handwritten as well as printed documents. For example, take a look at a replica of the Declaration of Independence (which, of course, was really signed on July 2--but that's a pedant of another color). So it really has nothing to do with printing technology. I still haven't heard any knowledgeable person comment on my "final s" explanation, so I still don't know if it's true. And perhaps I never will.

Aloha,
Mark