Keyboard
By Tyler Downer
5/3/08
What is a Keyboard?
Keyboards are one of the greatest inventions in the typing world. Dating as far back as typewriters, modern keyboards would be instantly recognized by a secretary from 1910. Even down to the QWERTY letter combination, keyboards have changed little from the days of the manual typewriter. But what is the difference between an early-1900's typewriter and the keyboard used to write this article? How does a keyboard work? What is their use?
How does a keyboard work?
A keyboard works by taking the text that you enter on the keys, turing it into an electronic signal that can be understood by the computer, then turning it into a meaningful character on the screen, and computer memory. But there is more to it then that. Keyboards have several major components. First are the keys. These are simply pieces of plastic that rest on little rubber bumps on the circuit board below. The keys can be taken off , and often are, for servicing, cleaning, etc. The circuit board below the keys is where the real work begins. When a key is pressed, it depresses the rubber dome below. This dome in turn pushes two electronic circuits together, providing a path for electricity to flow through. This electricity then goes to a small chip on the keyboard that translates what key was pressed and for how long. It then send a signal to the computer, via a wire of wireless signal, informing it in a series of 0s and 1s, what key was pressed. The computer can then do what it needs to with the information.
What is QWERTY?
On most keyboards today, the first 6 letters on the top line are QWERTY. This dates back to the typewriter era, when typists were typing so fast, they are actually breaking the typewriter! Naturally, this undesirable, and the manufacturer designed a keyboard that was not arranged in a logical way, requiring more time to think between each letter. When keyboards were invented, they were intended to replace typewriters, so the designers kept the QWERTY layout, because it was the one the typists were used. Even though keyboards do not have the speed limitations of typewriters, the layout has continued to this very day. However, there have been some breakouts. One design arranges the keys so the most used letters, E, S, etc, are near each other, while another has no letters on the keyboard at all. It operates on the assumption that letters on the keys only distract the typist and if they memorize them, typing will be faster. So far it it has not caught on. Today, many people take lessons from people or software on how to type more quickly. It is ironic that we now have special classes and software that teach us to type faster on a keyboard layout designed to slow us down.
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