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History of Computer Keyboards Timeline

(1868–Present)

The history of computer keyboards traces the evolution of typing devices from mechanical typewriters and punched-card systems to today’s physical, wireless, ergonomic, and touchscreen keyboards. Less

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Early keyboard systems

Teleprinter development begins

1907 - 1910

The teleprinter, in its more contemporary form, began being developed between 1907 and 1910 by American mechanical engineer Charles Krum, his son Howard, and electrical engineer Frank Pearne.

Charles Krum advances the teleprinter

1907 - 1910

Charles Krum made early contributions to the development of the modern teleprinter during the period from 1907 to 1910.

Howard Krum contributes to teleprinter design

1907 - 1910

Howard Krum worked with his father, Charles Krum, on the development of the teleprinter in its more contemporary form.

Frank Pearne contributes to teleprinter development

1907 - 1910

Electrical engineer Frank Pearne provided early contributions to the teleprinter's development during the 1907–1910 period.

Teleprinter keyboard enters communications

1910

The teleprinter keyboard became an input mechanism for typed communication, helping establish the role of keyboards in electrical communications.

Teleprinter keyboards support point-to-point links

1910 - 2000

For most of the twentieth century, teleprinter keyboards played a strong role in point-to-point communication.

Image source: Teleprinter

Teleprinter keyboards support point-to-point links

Teleprinter keyboards support multipoint links

1910 - 2000

Teleprinter keyboards also supported point-to-multipoint communication for most of the twentieth century.

Keypunch keyboards become data-entry tools

1910 - 2000

Keyboards on keypunch devices played a strong role in data entry and storage for roughly as long as teleprinter keyboards dominated communications.

Keypunch keyboards support data storage

1910 - 2000

The keypunch keyboard became an important interface for recording data on punched cards and related storage media throughout much of the twentieth century.

Keyboard layouts and ergonomics

Klockenberg links split layouts to posture

1926

The ergonomic goal of Klockenberg's proposed split arrangement was to facilitate a more natural posture for two-handed typists.

Image source: Human factors and ergonomics

Klockenberg links split layouts to posture

Klockenberg recommends angled keyboard halves

1926

Klockenberg's 1926 study suggested setting the two keyboard halves at an angle to one another so that typists could keep their wrists straight.

Image source: Keyboard layout

Klockenberg recommends angled keyboard halves

Klockenberg proposes split key clusters

1926

In 1926, Klockenberg published a study proposing that the primary key clusters for two-handed typists be divided into left and right halves.

Adjustable split keyboards are linked to pain reduction

1972

Kroemer's 1972 study suggested that an adjustable split keyboard might reduce pain experienced by users.

Kroemer studies adjustable split keyboards

1972

In 1972, Kroemer published a more detailed study of split keyboard designs and their possible ergonomic effects.

JIS keyboard standard is established

1980

The JIS X 6002-1980 standard became the reference associated with the Japanese JIS mechanical keyboard layout.

ANSI keyboard standard is established

1988

The ANSI-INCITS 154-1988 standard became the reference associated with the ANSI mechanical keyboard layout used in the United States.

ISO keyboard layout becomes a recognized standard

1990

ISO/IEC 9995-2 became the reference associated with the ISO mechanical keyboard layout used internationally.

Stenographs lead typing speed

2007

As of 2007, the fastest typists used a stenograph, a chorded keyboard used by most court reporters and closed-caption reporters.

Image source: Stenotype

Stenographs lead typing speed

Stenographs serve court reporters

2007

By 2007, stenographs were used by most court reporters as specialized chorded keyboards for rapid transcription.

Stenographs serve closed-caption reporters

2007

Stenographs were also used by most closed-caption reporters, enabling rapid entry through simultaneous key combinations.

Full-size keyboards converge on three layouts

2007 - 2026

In the modern period, most full-size keyboards use one of three mechanical layouts: ISO, ANSI, or JIS.

Computer keyboard development

TECO adopts extensive Esc-key commands

1963

The TECO text editor, dating from approximately 1963, used the Escape key extensively in its command system.

Teletype Model 33 introduces a standard Esc key

1964

The Escape key was part of the standard keyboard on the Teletype Model 33, introduced in 1964.

Teletype Model 33 reaches early minicomputers

1964

The Teletype Model 33 and its keyboard were used with many early minicomputers, helping establish the Esc key in computer interaction.

Keyboard remains a primary computer peripheral

1970 - 1984

The keyboard remained the primary and most integrated computer peripheral well into the era of personal computing.

Image source: Computer keyboard

Keyboard remains a primary computer peripheral

Keyboard microprocessors enter keyboard design

1972

The 1972 General Instruments device demonstrated that dedicated microprocessors could be used to manage keyboard functions.

General Instruments introduces a keyboard microprocessor

1972

General Instruments introduced the first keyboard microprocessor in 1972, marking an important step toward electronic keyboard control.

DEC VT50 includes an Esc key

Jul 1974

The DEC VT50, introduced in July 1974, included an Escape key.

8048 keyboard microcontroller becomes available

1978

Keyboards began using the single-chip 8048 microcontroller variant after it became available in 1978.

Key Tronic introduces capacitive switches

1978

In 1978, Key Tronic Corporation introduced keyboards with capacitive-based switches.

Capacitive switching moves beyond self-contained switches

1978

Key Tronic's 1978 keyboards were among the first keyboard technologies not to use self-contained switches.

Consumer mouse introduction changes keyboard primacy

1984

The introduction of the mouse as a consumer device in 1984 began changing the keyboard's status as the primary integrated computer peripheral.

Image source: Computer mouse

Consumer mouse introduction changes keyboard primacy

Apricot Portable demonstrates an infrared keyboard

1984

The 1984 Apricot Portable was an early example of a computer using an infrared keyboard.

Emacs adopts extensive Esc-key commands

1985

Emacs, dating from approximately 1985, inherited and used the Escape key extensively for editor commands.

Keyboard interfaces and security

Windows supports the Esc-key process

1995 - 2016

The keyboard process involving the Escape key continued to work in Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

Microsoft wireless keyboards expose a vulnerability

2011

Microsoft wireless keyboards manufactured in 2011 and earlier were documented to have a security vulnerability.

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Key Facts

  1. Christopher Latham Sholes patented an influential typewriter design in 1868, helping establish the QWERTY keyboard layout.
  2. Early computers often used punched cards, paper tape, or mechanical switches instead of modern keyboards for data input.
  3. The teletypewriter and electromechanical terminals helped connect typewriter-style keyboards to computers during the mid-20th century.
  4. The introduction of the IBM Model M in 1984 popularized durable buckling-spring keys and strongly influenced modern keyboard design.
  5. Modern keyboards include mechanical, membrane, ergonomic, wireless, virtual, and touchscreen models designed for different users and devices.

Source

This History of Computer Keyboards timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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