2006-07-14 15:12:12 · 11 answers · asked by Penelope 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
The layout of the typewirter is a hold over for the days when they use to set type by hand. Because different letter are used with different frequency (you use "e" and "s" more than "z" or "q") the trys that held type had different size compartments for holding the letters. And were arranged around those sizes rather than alphabetically. That arrangement of letters was used when laying out the first keyboard. Some modifications were made, because certain letters are used together more than often others. If they were too close together on the keyboard, then the arms for one letter would catch with another if you typed too fast. Like the "e" key was moved to the same finger as the "s" to make it difficult to type both at the same time (two most common letters).
The qwerty is not the only keyboard layout available, but it is the most common.
2006-07-14 15:15:47 · answer #1 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
In 1872, Remington produced the first mechanical typewriter, patented by C. Latham Sholes. Soon typists were going so fast that they were able to jam the keys which flew up to hit the typewriter ribbon. In the late 1870's: the "improved" Qwerty layout was designed to slow down typing, so those pesky keys would not jam anymore.
2006-07-14 22:16:25 · answer #2 · answered by nighthawk_842003 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Old typewriters couldn't handle high-speed typing, so the keys were put all out of order to slow people down and make them hunt for every key. Eventually secretaries and writers, the main users of typewriters, learned to type this way and when advanced non-computer word processors appeared, and later the first computers, it was more convenient to just port the traditional format than to make everyone relearn how to type.
2006-07-14 22:18:27 · answer #3 · answered by DakkonA 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first typewriters had the letter attached to a long bar. Type too fast and they would jam. Rearrange the letters on the keyboard and it would slow fast typists down. Now it's a tradition.
2006-07-14 22:19:02 · answer #4 · answered by Kraftee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are situated with regard to commonness. S for instance is a letter you use a lot, but Q isn't as regularly occuring.
S is right where you put your hands so you can hit the letters you use the most the easiest, and the letters that are most inconvenient to type are situated the farthest from you finger tips.
2006-07-14 22:16:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keys are layed out as most used are the easyest accesable, and when typerwriters where still popular, they where also layed out so as you would be less likely to press one key after another, so that would cause the arms to interfear with each other.
2006-07-14 22:17:19 · answer #6 · answered by Steve 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As odd as it sounds, it's to slow you down when you type. Old mechanical typewriters would jam up if people typed to fast, so the QWERTY keyboard was designed to make it harder to type quickly.
See http://www.dvorak-keyboard.com/
2006-07-14 22:15:12 · answer #7 · answered by AcuZod 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was designed based on the usage of the keys..
2006-07-14 22:15:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's based on typewriter usage.
2006-07-14 22:15:33 · answer #9 · answered by shadowkat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's about frequency and for finger movement on the keyboard. Investigate more about "QWERTY".
2006-07-14 22:15:36 · answer #10 · answered by viclyn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋