While using mobile phones, laptops or desktop computers, the tool we used the most is the keyboard. Keyboards are an important part of written communication. They are the primary methods of entering input into the computers and laptops. Keyboards consist of multiple rows of electrical switches. We all are familiar with the basic designs of the keyboard. So read on to find fun facts about the keyboards.

QWERTY Keyboard   

Almost all keyboards in the world use QWERTY configuration. If you notice this word is created by using the first six letters of the top row of the keyboard. This keyboard was created by a politician Christopher L. Sholes in 1868. In the 1870s, the QWERTY configuration was used in a workable typewriter made by Remington.    

This QWERTY keyboard layout and Remington’s typewriter was a huge success that in 1890 more than 100, 000 typewriters by Remington were in use in the United States. Only after three years this configuration was adopted by top keyboard companies and QWERTY became standard.

QWERTY is the most standard keyboard for average computers. It is also known as Universal Keyboard.

But for some writers QWERT is not the ideal arrangement of keys. The earlier QWERTY keyboards have keys placed in alphabetical order. These keyboards had a problem of jammed keys. To solve this problem Sholes wants to decrease the risk of jammed keys. He separated the pairings of letters like “he”.

Dvorak Keyboard

The competition for the QWERTY keyboard was invented in 1932. The Dvorak keyboard was invented by an education professor August Dvorak. The design of Dvorak keyboard was different from the QWERTY keyboard. The middle row of the keyboard was the place where typist’s finger rested. This row also known as home row contained the most used consonants and the vowels. The keywords that are not used frequently are placed in the bottom row. Dvorak keyboard was the most efficient keyboard as compared to QWERTY keyboard. Typist can write around 400 words only keeping fingers on the home row. Also on Dvorak the finger motion was 60 percent more than QWERTY. It also saves typists from repetitive stress injuries. But still it failed to amaze typists. Now it is used by small segments of computer professionals.

Colemak Keyboard

Dvorak and QWERTY are not the only options. However, these other keyboards are used by only specialized users. One of them is Colemak which was developed by Shai Coleman in 2006. This keyboard was created to address the flaws of the Dvorak keyboard. The layout was designed in a way to elevate efficiency and speed.

QWERTY Keyboard Monument

A QWERTY keyboard monument created by Anatoly Vyatkin in Ekaterinburgs, Russia. Series of stones representing computer keys are placed on a grassy hillside. Surprisingly, people jump from stone to stone to make wishes. In 2019, the most searched monument on Russia’s search engine was Keyboard monument.

KALQ Keyboard

In 2010, a keyboard design was proposed for thumb-typing. Most thumb-typing is used in tablets and smartphones. Digital keyboards don’t stick to QWERTY configuration. The KALQ is by far the best layout for handheld devices.

Finger Travel Distance on QWERTY

If you typed 10, 000 words using a QWERTY keyboard it means your fingers have traveled a distance of one mile on the keyboard.

Gaming Keyboard

A specialized gaming keyboard is, obviously, developed for game addicts. In these keyboards, game control keys are grouped together to easily play the game. Original keyboard’s keys mostly don’t light up and are also not made for gaming purposes.

Backlighting actually plays an important role in typing. Light Emitting Diodes are placed behind the keys. LEDs create an illuminating effect helping users to identify the keys easily. Thus increasing speed and accuracy.

101 or 104 Keys  

Probably, you have not seen 104 or 101 keys. In the United States, most standard keyboards have 101 keys while the Windows keyboards have 104 keys.

Keyboards with Optic-Based Technology

Photo-optical keyboards developed to detect keystrokes use optical technology. When you press a key, you unknowingly disturb the light for that key. The keyboard uses this disturbance to identify keystroke.

Software to Change Keyboard Layout

There is key-changing software available for changing the layout of keys of your keyboard. You can customize keys to perform various commands.

Hope you enjoyed reading these fun facts about keyboards. Tell us in the comments which keyboard layout you like the most.