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As anyone who types regularly can attest, an ergonomic keyboard is a must to avoid pain and injury. But what many people don’t know is that the first ergonomic keyboard was developed over 100 years ago! Here’s a look at the evolution of the keyboard, from its early days to the modern ergonomic keyboards we use today.
Typewriter Selectric
The IBM Selectric typewriter was first introduced in 1961. It was a revolutionary new machine that replaced the traditional typebar with a rotating typeball. This allowed for a much more efficient and accurate typing experience. The Selectric quickly became the industry standard and remained so for many years. In 1971, IBM introduced the Selectric II, which featured a larger typeball and improved performance. The final model of the Selectric series, the III, was released in 1987. It featured an even larger typeball and further improved performance.
Reed-Switch Keyboard
A Reed-Switch Keyboard is a type of keyboard that uses magnetically-sensitive, hermetically-sealed reed switches instead of physical contact keys. The first reed-switch keyboard was developed in the early 1970s by a company called CTC.
The main advantage of using reed switches over traditional mechanical keys is that they are much more resistant to dust and other environmental contaminants. This makes them ideal for use in industrial and military applications where keyboards are likely to be exposed to harsh conditions.
Another benefit of reed switches is that they can be used to create waterproof keyboards. This feature is especially useful in medical and food processing settings where sanitation is paramount.
Despite these advantages, reed-switch keyboards have not been widely adopted outside of niche markets. One reason for this is that they are significantly more expensive than traditional keyboards.
Capacitive-Switch Keyboard
A capacitive-switch keyboard is a type of keypad that uses an electrical charge to register keystrokes. This charge is typically conducted through the user’s body, so the switch only needs to be touched, not necessarily pressed, to register a keystroke.
The first capacitive-switch keyboard was developed by IBM in the early 1970s. This early model used two closely spaced metal plates to create a “capacitive field” that could detect a finger touching the plates. The design was later refined by other companies, and today’s capacitive-switch keyboards use similar technology.
While most keyboards today use mechanical switches, capacitive-switch keyboards are growing in popularity. They’re often used in industrial and medical applications where durability and washability are important. Capacitive-switch keyboards are also quieter than their mechanical counterparts and can be faster to respond.
Buckling Spring Keyboard
Buckling spring keyboards are one of the most popular types of mechanical keyboards. They were first introduced in the 1980s, and have been constantly evolving ever since.
Buckling spring keyboards are known for their distinctive clicky sound. The keys are mounted on a metal plate, and each key has a small spring underneath it. When you press a key, the spring underneath it buckles, and this makes a clicky sound.
Buckling spring keyboards are also very durable. The springs can last for millions of keystrokes, and the keys themselves are usually very well-built. This makes them ideal for heavy typists or gamers who need a keyboard that can take a lot of abuse.
Overall, buckling spring keyboards are an excellent choice for anyone who wants a high-quality, durable keyboard with a distinctive sound.
Rubber-Dome Keyboards
Rubber-dome keyboards are the most common type of keyboard used today. They are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and they offer a good typing experience.
The first rubber-dome keyboard was introduced in 1984 by IBM. The design was based on the “buckling spring” keyboard developed by IBM engineer Paul Zbyszewski. The buckling spring keyboard was superior to earlier designs, but it was too expensive to mass-produce.
The rubber-dome keyboard is a compromise between cost and quality. It uses a dome of rubber instead of a spring to provide resistance when the key is pressed. This makes the keyboard cheaper to produce, but it also results in a less precise feel when typing.
Despite their shortcomings, rubber-dome keyboards are the most popular type of keyboard on the market today.
Scissor-switches Keyboard
A scissor-switch keyboard is a type of keyboard that uses mechanical key switches in which each key is attached to two metal leaves. The leaves are held together by a spring, and when the key is pressed, the leaves separate and allow electrical current to flow between them, thereby closing the circuit and sending a signal to the computer.
The main advantage of the scissor-switch keyboard over the membrane keyboard is its durability; because each key is mechanically anchored to the underlying structure, it can withstand much more wear and tear than a membrane key.
Ultra-Book Keyboard
As technology has progressed, so too have the keyboards that we use to input information. The latest in keyboard evolution is the ultrabook keyboard. This type of keyboard is designed to be thinner and more lightweight than traditional keyboards, making them perfect for traveling.
Ultra-book keyboards are typically made of a single piece of material, which makes them more durable than their predecessors. They also often have backlighting, so you can use them in low-light conditions. And because they’re smaller, they take up less space on your desk or in your bag.
If you’re looking for a keyboard that will keep up with your mobile lifestyle, an ultrabook keyboard is a way to go.
ThinTouch Keyboards
The ThinTouch keyboard is just 3mm thick, making it 50% thinner than a standard keyboard. It’s also significantly lighter, weighing in at just over 1 pound. Despite its slimmed-down design, the ThinTouch retains all the features of a standard keyboard, including a full-size numeric keypad and a set of function keys.
The ThinTouch’s reduced size makes it more comfortable to use for long periods of time, and its sleek design is sure to turn heads.
Mechanical Keyboard
Are you looking for a keyboard that will give you the best gaming experience? If so, you may want to consider investing in a mechanical keyboard. Here’s what you need to know about them.
A mechanical keyboard is a type of keyboard that uses mechanical switches to register keystrokes. These switches are usually located under the keys and actuate when pressure is applied to them. This results in a distinctive clicking sound when the keys are pressed.
Mechanical keyboards are known for their durability and longevity. The switches can last for up to 50 million keystrokes, which is much higher than the average.
I hope this article was helpful for you. Feel free to ask your queries or share your opinions in the comments below!
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