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Historical Keyboards
Historical Keyboards
The history of alternative keyboards goes back farther than one
might think. After all, many think that because the history of computers
is a relatively short one – personal computers did not become
overwhelmingly popular until the 1990s – the history of alternative
keyboards must be equally short. Of course, do not forget that before
computer keyboards, there were typewriters and telegraphs, etc.
And, in fact, many of today’s alternative keyboards use ideas
that came about before computers (and the typing injuries associated
with them) became commonplace.
Consider the Dvorak key layout. Today, the Dvorak key layout is
seen as only an alternative to the standard QWERTY layout, even
though many argue that Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) could be
prevented by using it. Because many people only hear of Dvorak keyboards
after they already have an RSI, they may think that the idea is
new.
In truth, August Dvorak patented this “simplified”
keyboard layout back in 1936. He came up with the layout after studying
both the physiology of the human hand and letter frequencies in
the English language. He invented it to help with the problem of
typing fatigue that became more common after the invention of the
electric typewriter (which had less key jams and therefore a faster
possible typing speed).
Chorded keyboards are also used today as ways to prevent and treat
typing injuries like RSI. Of course, the very first chorded keyboards
are stenotypes, and these were patented in 1879. A stenotype is
a shorthand machine that uses “chords” (multiple keys
pressed at once) to type letters. Between 200 and 300 words can
be typed on a stenotype in shorthand, then transcribed later.
So, while the history of certain types of alternative keyboards
(like contoured keyboards and split keyboards) is short, the overall
history of alternative keyboards is rich.
The truth of the matter is, for many years, we have had at hand
(so to speak) multiple alternatives that can help reduce and prevent
typing injuries like RSI. Nonetheless, as a society, we have chosen
not to make these alternatives commonplace. We seem to have chosen
the route of treatment over prevention.
Of course, certain historical alternative keyboards – like
the first split boards – continue to be improved. Some of
the first alternative keyboards might have actually caused more
problems than they helped solve! So, the hope is that ergonomics
improves and becomes more mainstream. With both improvement and
availability, ergonomic devices like alternative keyboards can do
a lot to help prevent injuries and increase comfort.
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