From QWERTY to ISO: History of Keyboard Design Evolution over the Years
Keyboards are an integral part of our daily lives, whether we're typing up a report, chatting with friends, or gaming. The QWERTY keyboard, designed in the 1870s, has been the standard layout for over a century. However, over time, keyboard design has evolved, and new layouts have emerged, such as the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard and the ISO keyboard.
In this article, we'll explore the history of keyboard design and how it has evolved over the years. We'll look at the QWERTY keyboard, the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard, and the ISO keyboard, and examine the advantages and disadvantages of each layout. We'll also look at other keyboard designs and technologies that have emerged in recent years.
The QWERTY Keyboard
The QWERTY keyboard, designed by Christopher Sholes in the 1870s, was designed to prevent the keys from jamming. The layout of the keys was based on the frequency of letters in the English language, with commonly used letters placed far apart to prevent them from colliding with each other.
The QWERTY keyboard quickly became the standard layout for typewriters and later for computer keyboards. However, critics of the QWERTY layout argue that it is inefficient and leads to repetitive strain injuries. This has led to the development of alternative keyboard layouts, such as the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard.
The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard
The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard, designed by August Dvorak and his brother-in-law, William Dealey, in the 1930s, was designed to be more efficient than the QWERTY keyboard. The Dvorak keyboard places the most commonly used letters on the home row, which means that typists can type faster with less finger movement.
Studies have shown that the Dvorak keyboard is faster and more accurate than the QWERTY keyboard. However, the Dvorak keyboard has not gained widespread acceptance due to the high cost of retraining typists and the dominance of the QWERTY keyboard.
The ISO Keyboard
The ISO keyboard is the standard keyboard layout used in Europe and other parts of the world. It is similar to the QWERTY layout but with some key differences. The ISO keyboard has an extra key next to the left shift key, which is used to type characters with accents, such as é and ñ. It also has a larger enter key and a smaller shift key on the right side.
The ISO keyboard is designed to be more ergonomic than the QWERTY keyboard, with a more natural placement of keys. It is also designed to accommodate the different languages used in Europe, with support for special characters and accents.
Other Keyboard Designs and Technologies
In recent years, other keyboard designs and technologies have emerged, such as the ergonomic keyboard and the virtual keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to reduce strain on the hands and wrists and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Virtual keyboards, on the other hand, use touchscreens or projection technology to create a virtual keyboard that can be used on any surface.
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Conclusion
Keyboard design has come a long way since the invention of the QWERTY keyboard in the 1870s. While the QWERTY keyboard remains the standard layout, alternative layouts such as the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard and the ISO keyboard offer more efficient and ergonomic designs. Other keyboard designs and technologies, such as ergonomic keyboards and virtual keyboards, offer additional options for users who want to reduce strain and improve their typing experience.
In conclusion, keyboard design is constantly evolving, and there are many options available to users who want to improve.