A Condensed History Of The Keyboard

An anonymous reader points to this overview of old (good) keyboards versus the cheap and nasty kind which begins "Today's keyboards aren't what they used to be, no sir! Back in my day, we had our BS technology; our keyboards had chassis's which allowed 'em to be thrown off a 3-story building and still work - barely dented. Yes those were the days." Not a lot of new information, but some good visuals.

Comments

Who else misses the old IBM keyboards?

[ACK!!]

I loved mine and I am still looking for one of those old clickity clackity huge heavy monsters with their wonderous tactile feedback feel.

Anyone else in the same boat?

At least I still have my Logitech 3 button mouse.

What is your favorite keyboard type?

Re:Anyone Else for a New Keyboard???

[gughunter]

To each his own. I prefer the buckling spring keys so much that using a "mushier" keyboard is almost distracting. Also, one benefit of the buckling spring keyboard is that the little click corresponds exactly to a keypress. If you heard/felt the click, the computer got the data; if you didn't, it didn't. With rubber dome keyboards, on the other hand, you have to keep an eye on your text at all times. Between the uncertainty and the overall mushy feel, rubber dome keyboards have at least two strikes against them in my book.

Price and innovation

[UnknowingFool]

The author notes how durable keyboards used to be and easier to clean. But back then keyboards were designed to a different standard. The were desinged to last and sometimes to be repaired. Modern computer accessories are almost designed to be disposable. That extends to the computer and electronics nowadays. I mean when was the last time anyone actually took a TV to be repaired. More often if a TV or radio breaks, people just buy a new one. Computer are to the point where most people simply replace their old ones instead of upgrading. Ordinary mice and keyboards are in

Although he doesn't mention it, but how much did they cost back then? Adjusting for inflation, they probably cost more than new ones cost today. One thing it interesting to note that most of the functionality hasn't changed. Sure newer keyboards are wireless and have additional buttons, but older ones work just as well.