why are the letters on a keyboard not in order?

Answer 1

The QWERTY keyboard layout was devised in the 1860s by the creator of the first modern typewriter, Christopher Sholes, a newspaper editor who lived in Milwaukee. Originally, the characters on the typewriters he invented were arranged alphabetically, set on the end of a metal bar which struck the paper when its key was pressed. However, once an operator had learned to type at speed, the bars attached to letters that lay close together on the keyboard became entangled with one angother, forcing the typist to manually unstick the typebars, and also frequently blotting the document[1]. Sholes solved the jamming problem not by forcing typists to slow down, but by separating common sequences of letters in English[2]. Pairs of keys that are frequently struck in succession were placed as far from each other as possible, so that the hammers that were likely to be used in quick succession were less likely to interfere with each other.

Answer 2

They standard English keyboard layout, which is used most commonly in the world today, is called QWERTY, named for the first six keys (top left) of the lettering layout. The layout was actually patented back in 1868 as a design for typewriters.

Originally, typewriter keys were laid out in alphabetic order, but people quickly became proficient typers with this system, typing so fast that the typewriters would jam. (This occurred when too many strike bars tried to hit the page at the same time, overlapping and sticking against each other.)

The QWERTY keyboard was supposedly designed to avoid this problem. No one knows the original plan, but some theorize that the less than intuitive layout required a little extra time to locate the right key. Other theories assert that highly utilized keys (like vowels) were placed on the periphery where using weaker fingers to type or the simple fact of distance would slow down the typing process, if only by a second or so. Whatever the design plan, the QWERTY keyboard definitely inhibits fast typing. (Although with practice many have become quite proficient with it.)

In fact, several different typewriter keyboard variations were presented at the time, but QWERTY became the most popular. Since jamming is no longer an issue on today's modern computers, alphabetic and other keyboard variations have been proposed and marketed, but the QWERTY has become so ingrained that none has managed to win large acceptance.

Answer 3

The QWERTY keyboard layout was designed to do two things: One, make letters that are often typed together located farther apart, and two, slow the typist down. This is because it was designed for typewriters, when typing very fast or typing two nearby letters at the same time could jam up the system. That's right, the keyboard in front of you is designed to make you type slowly.

If you want a keyboard designed to make you type FAST, set your computer to the DVORAK setting. It may take a while to learn (even I haven't gotten around to it yet), but eventually it can lead to at least a 20% or so increase in speed.

Answer 4

This is a frequently asked question.

The QWERTY keyboard, so named for the first row of letters across the top of the keys, was created back when there were actual keys (like a typewriter) struck to imprint on paper. The most commonly used keys had to be kept separate so they didn't stick together when struck.

Answer 5

Obviously, you've never seen a typewriter before. The keys on a computer keyboard are the same as a typewriter keys. If you would of taken a typing class, you would know the answer to that question.

Answer 6

The 1874 Sholes & Glidden typewriters established the QWERTY layout for the letter keys.It is called the tantalizing near-alphabetical sequence.

Answer 7

Back in the day, old fashioned typewriters DID have them in order and were getting their keys jammed because people would type too fast.

The "QWERTY" keyboard that we see today was actually designed to slow typers down.

Answer 8

The QWERTY keyboard wasn't designed to slow people down that is a urban myth.

Answer 9

Because many years ago, someone spent a lot of time arranging them in the order in which they are most frequently used. You will note that keys which are not hit frequently - q, z " ? etc are on the outside because the fingers have to reach a bit to get to them.

http://www.amazingvisio.com/2020_quiz_why_keys_are_not_in_order_19990701.htm

Answer 10

they are set up for the most used letters having the easiest access