The History and Usability of the Computer Keyboard

1
KEYBOARD DESIGN

• The History and Usability of the Computer
  Keyboard
• Tim Coughlan

2
First Steps

• 1843-45 - Charles Thurber's Chirographer
• 1870 - Writing Ball of
• Malling Hansen. A
• Commercial Success in
• Europe

3
First Steps

• 1873 Christopher Latham Sholes completes his
  first typewriter design.
• Keys jammed when two typebars (the bit that hits
  the paper) of close proximity were hit together.
• Sholess solution was to place commonly used key
  combinations far apart.
• To do this he developed QWERTY.

4
First Steps

• 1874 Sholes design bought by Remington (Makers
  of guns and sewing machines)
• Design changed by William Jenne.
• With a background in sewing machines he decides
  to give the typewriter a makeover
• Foot pedal used to advance paper
• 5,000 sold

5
Remmington Sholes Glidden Typewriter (1874)
6
Commercial Success

• 1878 Remmington No. 2 is a success, being
  quieter and allowing users to type upper and
  lower case letters.
• Mid 1880s Typewriters become a common feature
  of the office.
• Remmington face commercial competition. Some
  keyboards featured other layouts but QWERTY
  remained.

7
From the Typewriter to the computer

• 1920s onward - Teletype machines for typed
  telegraphs appear. QWERTY used in popular models
  (ASR-33 1960s)
• 1949 Binac Computer used an electromagnetically
  controlled typewriter for input and output
• 1950-60s Keyboard becomes a well used control
  mechanism for computers

8
Dvorak The Superior Alternative?

• In 1932 Dr. August Dvorak designed a keyboard for
  maximum typing efficiency
• Put digraphs closer together (commonly used
  letter couples such as ed)
• Vowels all on left hand of home row
• 400 of the most common words can be typed using
  the home row only (100 for QWERTY)

9
Dvorak The Superior Alternative?

• Dvoraks studies found his layout to be
• Faster (74 after learning)
• More Accurate (68 after learning)
• Easier to learn
• Later US government study (1953) found no
  significant speed difference between the two
  layouts after a period of learning.
• Some suggestion of ergonomic benefits

10
Other Alternatives Maltron

• Ergonomically designed to prevent or relieve RSI
• Reduced wrist motion
• Alternative key layout
• Improved efficiency

http//www.teleprint.com/keyboard
11
Other Alternatives Half-Qwerty

• Use in one hand leaving other for mouse
• Saves space on mobile devices
• Hold down space bar for alternative keys
• Efficiency 50 of two handed keyboard after 8
  hours of use

Half QWERTY Matias et al (1993)
12
Design History Conclusions

• QWERTY became standard even though
• The problem it was designed for was solved in
  later typewriter models.
• It was not designed for the user
• It was a reasonable design
• Without great benefits, retraining was neither
  cost effective for managers or popular with
  typists

13
Usability of the Computer Keyboard

• Keyboards have been the fastest method of text
  input for over a century
• Users of typewriters have positive transfer of
  skills.
• Requires good motor skills, small hands and
  fingers. Not suitable for many people.
• Not easy to learn. Creates two classes of
  computer user.
• Major factor in repetitive strain injuries
• Complexity Major part of desktop computing
• Size Poor solution in mobile devices

14
The Future

• Seems unlikely that the common key layout will
  change.
• Speech recognition should emerge but it is
  unlikely to match speed of trained typist. Not
  currently a mature technology.
• Hand writing recognition even slower.
• Best Solution Offer alternatives to suit the
  user and application.