QWERTY Keyboard: History, Facts, and Alternatives
If you are reading this article, chances are you are using a QWERTY keyboard to type on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The QWERTY keyboard is the most common and widely used keyboard layout in the world. But have you ever wondered why the keys are arranged in this particular order? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the QWERTY keyboard? And are there any better alternatives to the QWERTY keyboard that you can try?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explore the history, facts, and alternatives of the QWERTY keyboard. We will also show you how to change your keyboard layout on different devices if you want to experiment with other options. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the QWERTY keyboard and whether it is still the best option for you.
qwerty keyboard
What is the QWERTY keyboard and how did it come to be?
The QWERTY keyboard is a keyboard layout for Latin-script alphabets. The name comes from the order of the first six keys on the top left letter row of the keyboard (Q W E R T Y). The QWERTY design is based on a layout created for the Sholes and Glidden typewriter and sold to E. Remington and Sons in 1873. It became popular with the success of the Remington No. 2 of 1878, and remains in ubiquitous use.
The origin of the QWERTY layout
The QWERTY layout was devised and created in the early 1870s by Christopher Latham Sholes, a newspaper editor and printer who lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In October 1867, Sholes filed a patent application for his early writing machine he developed with the assistance of his friends Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soulé.
The first model constructed by Sholes used a piano-like keyboard with two rows of characters arranged alphabetically as shown below:
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- 3 5 7 9 N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 2 4 6 8 . A B C D E F G H I J K L M
Sholes struggled for the next five years to perfect his invention, making many trial-and-error rearrangements of the original machine's alphabetical key arrangement. The study of bigram (letter-pair) frequency by educator Amos Densmore, brother of the financial backer James Densmore, is believed to have influenced the array of letters, but the contribution was later called into question.:170 Others suggest instead that the letter groupings evolved from telegraph operators' feedback.:163 In November 1868 he changed the arrangement of the latter half of the alphabet, O to Z, right-to-left.:1220 In April 1870 he arrived at a four-row, upper case keyboard approaching the modern QWERTY standard, moving six vowel letters, A , E, I, O, U, and Y, to the upper row.:21 In 1873 Sholes's backer, James Densmore, successfully sold the manufacturing rights for the Sholes & Glidden Type-Writer to E. Remington and Sons. The keyboard layout was finalized within a few months by Remington's mechanics and was ultimately presented:
Q W E . T Y I U O P Z S D F G H J K L M A X & C V B N ? ; R - E T A O I N S H R D
The QWERTY layout depicted in Sholes's 1878 patent is slightly different from the modern layout, most notably in the absence of the numerals 0 and 1, with each of the remaining numerals shifted one position to the left of their modern counterparts. The letter M is located at the end of the third row to the right of the letter L rather than on the fourth row to the right of the N, the letters X and C are reversed, and most punctuation marks are in different positions or are missing entirely. 0 and 1 were omitted to simplify the design and reduce the manufacturing and maintenance costs; they were chosen specifically because they were "redundant" and could be recreated using other keys. Typists who learned on these machines learned the habit of using the uppercase letter I (or lowercase letter L) for the digit one, and the uppercase O for the zero.
The evolution of the QWERTY keyboard
The QWERTY keyboard has undergone several changes since its inception. Some of these changes include:
Adding a shift key to enable typing both upper and lower case letters.
Adding a numeric row above the letter row.
Adding function keys, arrow keys, and other special keys.
Adding a separate numeric keypad for faster data entry.
Adding various symbols and diacritics for different languages and purposes.
Adapting to different sizes and shapes of keyboards, such as ergonomic keyboards, laptop keyboards, and virtual keyboards.
The QWERTY keyboard has also influenced the design of other devices that use text input, such as typewriters, teleprinters, teletypes, stenotype machines, computer terminals, calculators, mobile phones, and touchscreens.
The popularity and standardization of the QWERTY keyboard
The QWERTY keyboard became popular with the success of the Remington No. 2 typewriter in 1878, which was the first typewriter to include both upper and lower case letters using a shift key. The QWERTY keyboard was also adopted by other typewriter manufacturers, such as Underwood, Royal, Smith Corona, and Olivetti.
The QWERTY keyboard was further standardized by the American Standards Association (ASA), which later became the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), in 1948. The ASA layout included some minor changes from the original QWERTY layout, such as moving the hyphen from the fourth row to the third row next to the zero key.
The QWERTY keyboard was also adopted by early computer systems, such as the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh, which inherited their keyboards from typewriters. The QWERTY keyboard became a de facto standard for computer keyboards in most countries that use Latin-script alphabets.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the QWERTY keyboard?
The QWERTY keyboard has been widely used for over a century, but it is not without its critics and challengers. There are some advantages and disadvantages of using the QWERTY keyboard that you should be aware of.
The benefits of the QWERTY keyboard
Some of the benefits of using the QWERTY keyboard are:
It is familiar and ubiquitous. Most people are used to typing on a QWERTY keyboard since they learned it at school or work. Most keyboards, computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other devices use a QWERTY layout or a variation of it. It is easy to find a QWERTY keyboard anywhere you go.
It is compatible and consistent. Most software applications, websites, games, and online services are designed with a QWERTY keyboard in mind. They use shortcuts, commands, menus, icons, and layouts that are based on a QWERTY layout. They also use the QWERTY layout as a reference for keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl+C for copy and Ctrl+V for paste. You can use a QWERTY keyboard with any software or service without worrying about compatibility or consistency issues.
It is versatile and adaptable. The QWERTY keyboard can be used for various purposes and languages. You can type in English, Spanish, French, German, and many other languages using a QWERTY keyboard. You can also use different symbols and diacritics by using the shift, alt, or ctrl keys. You can also customize your QWERTY keyboard by changing the settings, adding macros, or using different software tools.
The drawbacks of the QWERTY keyboard
Some of the drawbacks of using the QWERTY keyboard are:
It is inefficient and unergonomic. The QWERTY layout was designed to prevent typewriter keys from jamming, not to optimize typing speed or comfort. The QWERTY layout places the most common letters in the English language on the left side of the keyboard, which forces the right hand to do more work than the left hand. The QWERTY layout also places some of the most common letter pairs, such as TH, ER, and ON, on opposite sides of the keyboard, which slows down typing and increases finger movement. The QWERTY layout can cause fatigue, strain, and injury to the fingers, wrists, and arms of typists who use it for long periods of time.
It is outdated and arbitrary. The QWERTY layout was created in the 19th century for mechanical typewriters, which are no longer in use today. The QWERTY layout does not reflect the changes in technology, language, and culture that have occurred since then. The QWERTY layout is also based on arbitrary choices and historical accidents, rather than scientific principles or user feedback. The QWERTY layout is not the best or the only possible way to arrange the keys on a keyboard.
It is resistant and entrenched. The QWERTY layout has been used for so long that it has become a habit and a norm for most people. The QWERTY layout is also supported by a large and powerful industry that produces and sells keyboards, computers, software, and services that use it. The QWERTY layout is difficult to change or replace because of the inertia and resistance of users, manufacturers, and developers who are used to it or benefit from it.
What are some alternative keyboard layouts to the QWERTY keyboard?
If you are not satisfied with the QWERTY keyboard or want to try something different, you have some options. There are several alternative keyboard layouts that have been proposed or developed over the years to challenge or improve upon the QWERTY keyboard. Some of these alternative keyboard layouts are:
Dvorak: A more efficient and ergonomic layout
The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard (DSK) is a keyboard layout patented in 1936 by Dr. August Dvorak and his brother-in-law Dr. William Dealey. The Dvorak layout was designed to increase typing speed, accuracy, and comfort by placing the most common letters and letter pairs on the home row (the middle row of keys) and minimizing finger movement across rows and columns. The Dvorak layout also balances the workload between the left and right hands by assigning more keys to the right hand than the left hand.
The Dvorak layout looks like this:
- / P Y F G C R L . ? A O E U I D H T N S ; Q J K X B M W V Z
The Dvorak layout claims to have several advantages over the QWERTY layout, such as:
Reducing errors and typos by placing commonly used letters on the home row.
Increasing speed and efficiency by reducing finger travel distance by 35% compared to QWERTY.
Improving comfort and ergonomics by reducing finger fatigue and strain.
Enhancing rhythm and flow by alternating between hands for most words.
The Dvorak layout has been endorsed by some experts, such as typing instructors, computer programmers, and ergonomic specialists. However, it has not gained widespread popularity or acceptance among users or manufacturers. Some of the reasons for this are:
Lack of awareness and availability of the Dvorak layout among users and manufacturers.
Difficulty and cost of switching and learning the Dvorak layout for users who are used to the QWERTY layout.
Resistance and skepticism from users and manufacturers who are satisfied with or invested in the QWERTY layout.
Lack of conclusive and consistent evidence of the superiority of the Dvorak layout over the QWERTY layout in terms of speed, accuracy, or health benefits.
Colemak: A minimal-change layout with improved comfort and speed
The Colemak keyboard layout is a keyboard layout created by Shai Coleman in 2006. The Colemak layout is based on the QWERTY layout, but with 17 changes to improve typing comfort and speed. The Colemak layout places the most frequent letters on the home row, and the least frequent letters on the bottom row. The Colemak layout also preserves many common shortcuts and commands from the QWERTY layout, such as Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, and Ctrl+V.
The Colemak layout looks like this:
- Q W F P G J L U Y ; A R S T D H N E I O Z X C V B K M , . /
The Colemak layout claims to have several advantages over the QWERTY layout, such as:
Reducing finger movement by 50% compared to QWERTY.
Increasing comfort and ergonomics by placing 74% of typing on the home row.
Improving speed and accuracy by placing the most common letters and letter pairs on the easiest keys.
Maintaining compatibility and familiarity with QWERTY by keeping many keys in their original positions.
The Colemak layout has been praised by some users, such as bloggers, writers, programmers, and gamers. However, it has not gained much popularity or acceptance among users or manufacturers. Some of the reasons for this are:
Lack of awareness and availability of the Colemak layout among users and manufacturers.
Difficulty and cost of switching and learning the Colemak layout for users who are used to the QWERTY layout.
Resistance and skepticism from users and manufacturers who are satisfied with or invested in the QWERTY layout.
Lack of conclusive and consistent evidence of the superiority of the Colemak layout over the QWERTY layout in terms of speed, accuracy, or health benefits.
Other keyboard layouts: AZERTY, QWERTZ, JCUKEN, and more
Besides the QWERTY, Dvorak, and Colemak layouts, there are many other keyboard layouts that have been developed or used for different languages, regions, or purposes. Some of these keyboard layouts are:
LayoutDescription
AZERTYA keyboard layout used in France, Belgium, and some other French-speaking countries. It is similar to QWERTY, but with A and Z swapped with Q and W, M moved to the right of L, and some punctuation marks changed.
QWERTZA keyboard layout used in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and some other Central European countries. It is similar to QWERTY, but with Z and Y swapped, some letters replaced with umlauts or special characters, and some punctuation marks changed.
JCUKENA keyboard layout used in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and some other Cyrillic-script countries. It is based on the phonetic similarity of Cyrillic letters to Latin letters. It has six rows of keys instead of four.
DVORAK-QWERTYA hybrid keyboard layout that uses Dvorak for typing letters and QWERTY for typing numbers and symbols. It is designed for users who want to use Dvorak for typing text but need to use QWERTY for entering passwords or commands.
MALTRONA keyboard layout that uses a three-dimensional ergonomic design with curved key rows and thumb keys. It is designed to reduce finger movement and strain by placing the most common keys in the center of the keyboard.
There are many more keyboard layouts that exist or have been proposed for various reasons. You can find a list of them on Wikipedia or other online sources.
How to change your keyboard layout on Windows, Mac, and other devices
If you want to try a different keyboard layout than the QWERTY keyboard, you can change your keyboard layout on your device. The process may vary depending on the device, operating system, and keyboard layout you want to use, but here are some general steps for changing your keyboard layout on Windows, Mac, and other devices.
Changing your keyboard layout on Windows 10
To change your keyboard layout on Windows 10, follow these steps:
Open the Settings app by clicking the Start button and then the gear icon.
Click on Time & Language and then on Language.
Under the Preferred languages section, click on the language you want to use and then on Options.
Under the Keyboards section, click on Add a keyboard and select the keyboard layout you want to use from the list.
To switch between keyboard layouts, use the shortcut Windows key + Space bar or click on the language icon in the taskbar.
Changing your keyboard layout on Mac OS X
To change your keyboard layout on Mac OS X, follow these steps:
Open the System Preferences app by clicking the Apple menu and then System Preferences.
Click on Keyboard and then on Input Sources.
Click on the + button and select the language and keyboard layout you want to use from the list.
To switch between keyboard layouts, use the shortcut Command + Space bar or click on the Input menu in the menu bar.
Changing your keyboard layout on Android and iOS
To change your keyboard layout on Android and iOS devices, follow these steps:
Open the Settings app by tapping the Settings icon.
On Android, tap on System and then on Languages & input. On iOS, tap on General and then on Keyboard.
On Android, tap on Virtual keyboard and then on Manage keyboards. On iOS, tap on Keyboards and then on Add New Keyboard.
Select the keyboard layout you want to use from the list.
To switch between keyboard layouts, tap and hold the Space bar or the Globe icon on the virtual keyboard.
Conclusion: Is the QWERTY keyboard still the best option for you?
The QWERTY keyboard is a keyboard layout that has been used for over a century. It is familiar, compatible, and versatile, but it is also inefficient, outdated, and resistant. There are alternative keyboard layouts that claim to offer better speed, accuracy, comfort, or ergonomics than the QWERTY keyboard. However, they are not widely available or accepted, and they may not suit everyone's needs or preferences.
The best keyboard layout for you depends on several factors, such as your typing habits, goals, language, device, software, and personal taste. You may want to stick with the QWERTY keyboard if you are comfortable with it and do not have any problems with it. You may want to try a different keyboard layout if you are curious about it or have issues with the QWERTY keyboard. You may also want to use more than one keyboard layout depending on the situation or task.
The choice is yours. You can change your keyboard layout anytime you want. You can also learn more about different keyboard layouts by doing some research online or asking other users. The important thing is to find a keyboard layout that works for you and helps you type faster, better, and easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers about the QWERTY keyboard and alternative keyboard layouts:
Q: Why is it called QWERTY?
A: The name QWERTY comes from the order of the first six keys on the top left letter row of the keyboard (Q W E R T Y). This name is also used as a shorthand for referring to the QWERTY layout in general.
Q: Who invented the QWERTY keyboard?
A: The QWERTY layout was devised and created in the early 1870s by Christopher Latham Sholes, a newspaper editor and printer who lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He patented his invention in 1878 and sold it to E. Remington and Sons, who popularized it with their typewriters.
Q: What are the benefits of using the QWERTY keyboard?
A: The benefits of using the QWERTY keyboard are that it is familiar and ubiquitous, compatible and consistent, and versatile and adaptable. Most people are used to typing on a QWERTY keyboard since they learned it at school or work. Most keyboards, computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other devices use a QWERTY layout or a variation of it. Most software applications, websites, games, and online services are designed with a QWERTY keyboard in mind. The QWERTY keyboard can also be used for various purposes and languages.
Q: What are the drawbacks of using the QWERTY keyboard?
A: The drawbacks of using the QWERTY keyboard are that it is inefficient and unergonomic, outdated and arbitrary, and resistant and entrenched. The QWERTY layout was designed to prevent typewriter keys from jamming, not to optimize typing speed or comfort. The QWERTY layout places the most common letters on the left side of the keyboard, which forces the right hand to do more work than the left hand. The QWERTY layout also places some of the most common letter pairs on opposite sides of the keyboard, which slows down typing and increases finger movement. The QWERTY layout can cause fatigue, strain, and injury to the fingers, wrists, and arms of typists who use it for long periods of time. The QWERTY layout was created in the 19th century for mechanical typewriters, which are no longer in use today. The QWERTY layout does not reflect the changes in technology, language, and culture that have occurred since then. The QWERTY layout is also based on arbitrary choices and historical accidents, rather than scientific principles or user feedback. The QWERTY layout is not the best or the only possible way to arrange the keys on a keyboard. The QWERTY layout has been used for so long that it has become a habit and a norm for most people. The QWERTY layout is also supported by a large and powerful industry that produces and sells keyboards, computers, software, and services that use it. The QWERTY layout is difficult to change or replace because of the inertia and resistance of users, manufacturers, and developers who are used to it or benefit from it.
Q: What are some alternative keyboard layouts to the QWERTY keyboard?
A: Some alternative keyboard layouts to the QWERTY keyboard are Dvorak, Colemak, AZERTY, QWERTZ, JCUKEN, DVORAK-QWERTY, MALTRON, and more. These keyboard layouts have been proposed or developed to challenge or improve upon the QWERTY keyboard in terms of speed, accuracy, comfort, or ergonomics. However, they are not widely available or accepted, and they may not suit everyone's needs or preferences.
Q: How can I change my keyboard layout on my device?
A: You can change your keyboard layout on your device by following some general steps for changing your keyboard layout on Windows 10, Mac OS X, Android and iOS devices. The process may vary depending on the device, operating system, and keyboard layout you want to use, but here are some general steps for changing your keyboard layout on different devices: - On Windows 10, open the Settings app, click on Time & Language, click on Language, click on the language you want to use, click on Options, click on Add a keyboard, and select the keyboard layout you want to use from the list. To switch between keyboard layouts, use the shortcut Windows key + Space bar or click on the language icon in the taskbar. - On Mac OS X, open the System Preferences app, click on Keyboard, click on Input Sources, click on the + button, and select the language and keyboard layout you want to use from the list. To switch between keyboard layouts, use the shortcut Command + Space bar or click on the Input menu in the menu bar. - On Android and iOS devices, open the Settings app, tap on System and then on Languages & input on Android or tap on General and then on Keyboard on iOS, tap on Virtual keyboard and then on Manage keyboards on Android or tap on Keyboards and then on Add New Keyboard on iOS, and select the keyboard layout you want to use from the list. To switch between keyboard layouts, tap and hold the Space bar or the Globe icon on the virtual keyboard. I hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! 44f88ac181
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