The classic modern keyboard has 102 keys arranged in a strict order. The top row is occupied by function keys (F1-F12), pressing which requires the system to perform certain actions. For example, when working with any application, the F1 key opens reference materials. Below is the number row, and below it is the alphabetic keyboard. On the right are the cursor keys and the numeric block.
QWERTY
The first typewriters appeared at the end of the 19th century. The patent for the invention belongs to the printer Christopher Latham Scholes, who in 1873 sold his invention to the E. Remington and Sons. Initially, the letters on the keys were arranged alphabetically and occupied two rows. At the same time, frequently used letters (for example, p-r, n-o) were on adjacent keys, which led to a clutch and breakdown of the percussion mechanism.
After analyzing the situation, the manufacturers of printing machines changed the layout so that letters, a combination of which are often found in English, are on opposite sides of the keyboard. The author of the new layout was the inventor's half-brother. And the first user is his daughter. This is how the famous QWERTY keyboard layout appeared (according to the first letters of the top row from left to right).
In 1888, the first typing speed competition was held. The competition was attended by forensic stenographer Frank McGarin and a certain Louis Taub. Moreover, McGarin typed on a typewriter with a QWERTY keyboard, and Taub - on a calligrapher. After McGarin's victory, Remington's products were in great demand. The new layout was considered the most rational and ergonomic.
Gradually QWERTY ousted all competitors from the market. Despite the fact that more convenient options were subsequently proposed, users who were accustomed to this layout did not want to relearn. it is still used today, now on the computer keyboard. Moreover, the modern version differs from the original layout by only four characters: the keys "X" and "C", "M" and "?", "R" and ".", "P" and "-" have been swapped.
Simplified Dvorak keyboard
In 1936, a book was published by the University of Washington professor August Dvorak. In it, the author named the main disadvantages of QWERTY and proposed a new principle for the arrangement of letters on the keyboard. One of Dvorak's main arguments was the fact that because of the "scatter" of frequently used letters, a typist can run her fingers up to 20 miles on a keyboard during a working day. The new layout reduced this distance to 1 mile and, according to the professor, increased typing speed by 35%.
A feature of the Dvorak layout was the placement of the most used letters in the middle and upper rows of the keyboard. At the start of work, the typist's fingers are on the keys of the middle row. Dvorak placed vowels under the left hand, and the most used consonants under the right. Using the new layout, the middle row keys could write about 3000 of the most common English words. The middle row of a QWERTY keyboard only yields about 100 words.
The Dvorak method was remembered only eight years later. The Second World War was going on, typists were urgently needed in the army. In 1944, 12 girls were selected who had to master the new method in 52 hours and learn to type at high speed. The professor personally took up the training and the results exceeded all expectations. Girls typed 78% faster, and the number of typos was more than halved. Dvorak even compiled a list of the most common mistakes.
However, upon re-checking, the test results were found to be falsified. Experts from the Carnegie Commission for Education (Educational Commission of the Carnegie) said that the Dvorak layout is no better than QWERTY and there is no point in spending taxpayers' money on the transition to the new system. Despite this, Dvorak has his own supporters and followers.
PCD-Maltron keyboard
This layout was proposed in the late 70s of the last century. Englishwoman Lillian Malt was retraining typists to work with a computer. By observing the charges and analyzing their movements, Molt came to the conclusion that the QWERTY layout needed to be changed. The maximum load should be on the long and strong index fingers. For this, about a dozen frequently used keys had to be moved.
The keyboard was divided into two parts - for each hand separately. The height of the keys varied depending on the length of the fingers, and the surface was concave so that you did not have to reach for the distant keys. Lillian Malt later turned to engineer Stephen Hobday for help. With his help, the keyboard was assembled. Unfortunately, the author of the idea did not manage to find investors for the release of the product. The keyboard was literally soldered on the knee and was not widely used.
Colemak
In 2006, Shai Coleman proposed the Colemak keyboard layout. This system, the name of which comes from the combination of the two surnames Coleman + Dvorak, also has increased ergonomics. Conditions have been created for unloading the little fingers and for frequent alternation of hands. At the same time, the arrangement of letters is close to the usual QWERTY layout. All common keyboard commands and punctuation marks are in the same place. The layout of only 17 keys has been changed, making it easier to retrain.
QWERTY
The name of the Russian keyboard layout also comes from the first six letters of the top row. Soviet computers and the keyboard designed for them quickly left the market. And when the first imported PCs appeared in the 1980s, the Western keyboard had to be Russified. But since there are more letters in the Russian alphabet, there was not enough space for all the characters.
Therefore, punctuation marks in the Russian layout, with the exception of the period and comma, are placed in the upper case of the digital row. To type them, you need to press a key combination, which slows down your work. The rest of the arrangement of the keys obeys the laws of ergonomics. Frequently used letters are placed under the index fingers, and those that are rarely pressed under the ring and little fingers.
