QWERTY Keyboard
The QWERTY keyboard refers to the standard keyboard that has the letters Q, W, E, R, T, and Y at the top. Despite its widespread acceptance, at a glance, this set up makes little sense, as the keyboard is set up seemingly randomly and not in alphabetical order, or some other more practical set up. This layout only makes sense after looking at the origin of the keyboard, but is important to look at to understand the origins of a key tool used in the publishing industry.
The Origin of the Keyboard
The keyboard was created to go along with the typewriter: a monumental invention that made great changes within the publishing industry. But, as many early technologies did, the typewriter had its shortcomings. It jammed easily, especially with the speed and frequency that some of the keys were hit with.[1] If the most commonly used letters were in the middle of the keyboard, they would be hit with extra force, but if they were on the side, a person would need to stretch their fingers further, and would therefore exert less force on the key.[1] The latter was optimal for the typewriter.
Downsides
Unfortunately, this design has not aged well with the growth of technology. Many people learning to type are confused by the strange layout, and those who do a significant amount of typing run the risk of getting painful injuries overtime due to the strain of stretching for the keys.[2]
In addition, even the most skilled typists don't truly learn the location of the keys. They can be memorized, but when asked to recall the locations on their own, only about half of the letters are placed correctly.[3] Thus, typing has become inextricably linked to memorization.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Robinson, Solveig C. (2014). The Book in Society. Broadview Press: 109
- ↑ Robinson, Solveig C. (2014). The Book in Society. Broadview Press: 110
- ↑ Snyder, Kristy M., et al. “What Skilled Typists Don't Know About the QWERTY Keyboard.” ProQuest, January 2024, https://www.proquest.com/docview/1491430630?accountid=SUSU6749&pq-origsite=primo&searchKeywords=QWERTY%20Keyboard&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals. Accessed 02 October 2025.
