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Invention of the typewriter. The Sholes & Glidden typewriter features a Qwerty keyboard, which separates common letter combinations, like ‘‘qu’’ and ‘‘th,’’ to minimize hammer collisions when the keys are struck.
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The Simplified Keyboard, now better known as the Dvorak layout, is patented. It puts the most frequently used letters in the most accessible positions.
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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology begins experimenting with direct keyboard inputting on computers.
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The Teletype Corporation ships the Model 33 keyboard, which becomes the input mechanism on early microcomputers. Previously computer users communicated with the computer with punched cards.
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I.B.M. develops the System/360, a popular mainframe computer system, which introduced specialized command keys like Esc, Alt, Ctrl, Pause, Break and SysRq (system request).
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The I.B.M. 3720 display terminal, which has the first widely used screen-oriented mainframe keyboard, introduces the keys Enter, Ins, Del, Home, Page Up, End (then called EOF for end of field) and the arrow keys.
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I.B.M. introduces its Personal Computer with an 83-key keyboard that has 10 function keys, a NumLock key, Esc, Alt, Ctrl, SysRq and other mainframe keys.
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After two years of development, I.B.M. introduces an enhanced 101-key keyboard that can be used across all its platforms and systems. Other manufacturers adopt it as a de facto standard.
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In anticipation of Windows 95, Microsoft introduces the Natural Keyboard, which has three extra keys that enable the use of the operating system without a mouse.
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Keyboard's have become touch enabled because of the iPhone and iPad. The iPad 1 makes use of its large size to display a large touch keyboard.
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Today, keyboards come in many shapes and sizes. They can be wired or wireless. They also have special purposes for different models of keyboards.
