/ Do you know when the first keyboard appeared?
Do you know when the first keyboard appeared?
Keyboard history
The first keyboard appeared more than 140 years ago: at the beginning of 1868, a certain Christopher Schols received a patent for his invention - the first typewriter. Its layout consisted of printed characters arranged in alphabetical order. As practice has shown, the alphabetical arrangement of keys was extremely inconvenient: because many rarely used symbols ended up in the center of the keyboard, and frequently used ones - on the edges. The modern keyboard layout appeared much later: already 22 years later. And the Cyrillic layout was first made even later: at the very end of the 19th century, in America.
How and when did the typewriter evolve into a real computer keyboard? This also happened at the end of the 19th century, when the teletype was invented. But its keyboard was also radically different from the modern computer keyboard, which appeared in 1943, simultaneously with the first ENIAC computer (a bulky unit used for military calculations and having a whole plug switching system as a control panel). And the capacitive keyboard appeared along with the first electric typewriter: already in 1960.
A keyboard is a device for entering data into and controlling an electronic computer. All keyboards are unified, that is, they have the same set of keys, the same as on typewriters, as well as additional keys for controlling cursor movement and function keys.
Very often they are also equipped with small keyboards containing numeric keys and buttons for performing mathematical operations.
The history of the computer keyboard goes back more than 150 years. The prototype of the modern keyboard was typewriters, which appeared in the middle of the 19th century. The first typewriter was patented by Christopher Latham Sholes; its keys with letters were arranged in alphabetical order. Over time, users realized that this arrangement was inconvenient, since the letters that were used frequently were located far from the center. A little over 20 years later, the Latin keyboard layout called “QWERTY” was invented. It is still in use today. It is interesting that the Russian keyboard layout was invented in America at the dawn of the 19th century and has survived almost unchanged to this day. The name “QWERTY” comes from the first 6 keys of the top letter row of the layout.
In 1943, the first ENIAC computer appeared, which shocked world science. Like many other inventions, the computer was first used in the military sphere; it was used to calculate ballistic data. Programming and entering values was carried out using dial pads and switching plugs.
5 years later, in order to introduce computers into mass production, the development of new models BINAC and UNIVAC began. The creators paid special attention to the design of input/output devices.
A fundamental change in the history of the creation of a computer keyboard occurred with the advent of electric typewriters. They were equipped with capacitive keyboards, allowing you to enter information with softer and lighter key presses.
In 1965, when General Electric and Bell were developing a new operating system, a video terminal display interface was first created. This made it much easier for users to work with computers, since they could now see the information they were entering on the screen and edit it.
Since the early 80s of the last century, computers have become available not only to large companies, but also ordinary people. The motherboard of such computers was located in the same case with the keyboard, and an information display device was connected to it. The keyboards have also undergone some changes: the “Alt” and “Control” keys have been added, and the “Enter” key has acquired a data entry function. To make it easier to work with documents, cursor movement control functions have been added to the numeric keypad keys.
Later, with the advent of so-called modular personal computers, in which the motherboard with processor and memory were placed in a separate case, the keyboard also became an independent device. 83 keys were installed in a single case, divided into two unequal blocks. The first is alphanumeric, which also includes cursor control arrows, the second is service, it contains system keys.
And in 1987, the keyboard known to us today was launched into mass production. Due to the fact that the number of keys was increased from 83 to 101, this keyboard was called extended. The function keys in it were moved separately to the top row, and their number increased by 2 units: “F11” and “F12”. The keys responsible for controlling cursor movement are separated into a separate block, located between the main and digital blocks. The Alt and Ctrl keys have been duplicated and placed in pairs to the left and right of the spacebar.
Remembering how the keyboard evolved, we understand that its development does not end there. It has changed and will continue to change with the advent of new devices and functions.
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Introduction
1.1 Teletype
1.3 Capacitive keyboard
1.4 New era
1.5 First personal computers
1.6 Keyboard compartment
1.7 Recent past - AT
1.8 Extended keyboard
2. User protection
2.1 ATX keyboards
2.3 Keyboard ergonomics
2.4 Keyboard
2.5 Key groups
2.7 Auxiliary keys
2.8 Function keys
3. CAPS LOCK key
3.1 Function keys
3.3 Numeric keypad
3.4 Mode indicators
3.5 Special key combinations
List of sources used
Conclusion
Introduction
The personal computer has long become a familiar inhabitant of any apartment or office. It helps with work, rest, and entertainment. It seems to us that computers have always been the way we are used to seeing them, however, this is not at all the case. Over the course of its history, each computer component has changed many times until it finally found its modern look. It is difficult to say whether there could be a more important and universal device for entering information into a computer than the keyboard. It is quite possible that in the near future, when a person communicates with his computer through gestures, facial expressions, graphic images, video images and speech, the keyboard will be replaced by other means of entering information. However, today, when text and symbols as carriers of valuable information are still so important, a keyboard is necessarily included in the configuration of supplied personal computers. A computer without a keyboard is not a full-fledged computer.
The goal of the individual project is to study the structure of the keyboard and its use in computer technology.
Achieving this goal was carried out by solving the following main tasks:
1) Parsing the creation of the keyboard
2) Study corrections and improvements in the creation of the keyboard
3) Find out what possible keyboard shortcuts are available for performing operations
1. The evolution of the computer keyboard
The roots of the modern computer keyboard go back to the 19th century. It all started with the advent of a simple typewriter. In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes patented his typewriter. The main key moment of this stage was the emergence of the first layout. It looked like a collection of symbols arranged in alphabetical order. As it turned out later, this was, to put it mildly, inconvenient, since rarely used symbols were in the most prominent places and vice versa. In 1890, the “QWERTY” layout was invented, which is still used when typing text in Latin letters. And the Russian keyboard layout, paradoxically, was invented in America at the end of the 19th century. Since then, she has not undergone major changes. The name "QWERTY" comes from the first six Latin letters on the keyboard, starting from the upper left corner from left to right.
1.1 Teletype
The key moment in the transformation of the typewriter into a computer keyboard was the invention of the Baudot teleprinting machine at the end of the 19th century. This method replaced the telegraph, in which information was encoded using a two-bit method (“dot-dash”, and later “signal present-signal absent”). Baudot communication used a five-bit code to encode the letters of the alphabet, with which complex electromechanical devices printed the received text onto paper. The communication was synchronous, and the telegraph operator had to press a button only when receiving a special sound signal. Later, data transfer became asynchronous, and this method of communication was called “teletype” (literally “printing at a distance”). In the 1920s, the teletype was already widely used to transmit financial and political information. Later, receiving devices became electronic, and in order to save paper, text was displayed on the screen and printed only when necessary.
1.2 First computer keyboards
computer keyboard combination key
The year 1943 was marked by the appearance of the ENIAC computer, which created a sensation in the world of science. This computer was used by the military for ballistic calculations. He received source data through punched cards and teletype tapes. Software control of operations was carried out by switching plugs and dial pads. In 1948, the development of UNIVAC and BINAC computers began, intended not for individual production, but for relatively more mass production. Special attention was paid to input/output devices in these machines. The means of input and output for them were teletypes or tabulators-punchers. BINAC could record information on magnetic tape.
1.3 Capacitive keyboard
The year 1960 is a turning point in the history of the development of computer keyboards - the electric typewriter enters the market. It had a capacitive keyboard.
The capacitive keyboard was produced on printed textolite boards. The name of the technology speaks for itself - this type works using capacitors located in the device. Two pads made of tin and nickel-plated copper, which, by the way, are not connected to each other in any way, either mechanically or electrically, form each key. By pressing the key, the distance between the pads decreases, and the electrical capacitance changes, which when pressed is approximately 2 picofarads, and when not pressed - 20 picofarads.
The decrease in capacitance creates a stream of charged particles that is processed by the keyboard controller, which in turn generates a code for the key pressed. It seems long, but this keyboard allows you to enter text at a speed of up to 300 characters per second.
Its main advantage was the ease of entering text - now, in order to type, you did not need to put in as much effort as, for example, on a classic Scholz typewriter.
1.4 New era
The next stage is associated with the development of multi-user systems, the division of computer time and the emergence of terminals. Computers were equipped with graphic displays and teletypes.
In 1965, Bell and General Electric laboratories merged to create a revolutionary the new kind multi-user operating system MULTICS (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service) (http://www.multicians.org), which subsequently led to the emergence of the UNIX OS. The main feature of the project was the creation of a new user interface - video terminal display. Now users could see what text they were typing, and at the same time had the opportunity to edit it right away.
1.5 First personal computers
Around the late 1970s and early 1980s, manufacturers began to produce computers that could be afforded not only by the offices of large companies, but also by ordinary people for home use. There are plenty of varieties and different lines that have been developed. Maybe your house once had, for example, an Amiga or Spectrum. These computers were a regular keyboard into which the computer itself was built (processor, ROM, RAM and several modules for additional devices). All this was done compactly and did not take up much space. Of course, the keyboards of these machines were superior in function and number of keys to electric typewriters. For example, a number of keys like Control and Alt were added.
The curved arrow key became known as Enter and served not only as a carriage return, but also to complete data entry. To work with electronic documents, cursor control arrows were added, but for now they were on numbers. These elements have found their active use in graphical interfaces and, of course, computer games, which actively began to develop as soon as personal computers became widespread.
1.6 Keyboard compartment
The next stage is associated with the development of modular PCs that were upgradeable. Their most prominent representatives are Apple computers (Apple PC), Commandore, IBM PC. All main components, such as the processor, RAM, were hidden in a separate case, and, accordingly, the keyboard was made separately from them, that is, it became a full-fledged device. It was connected to the computer using a cord through a Din-5 connector and looked like this: a total of 83 keys, divided into two blocks. The first block is alphanumeric, it also contained control arrows, and the second block is service (for system keys). This keyboard did not have the function of indicating the position of the capital keys Caps Lock, as well as the Num Lock and Scroll Lock. The main drawback was the placement of the controls. You had to reach for the function keys, and typing became simply inconvenient, and the Enter button hung somewhere in the corner and did not stand out among the rest in its size. This period can also be considered a key period in the history of keyboards - after all, the keyboard became a full-fledged device.
Apple specialized mainly in office computers, and it was the company that invented the mouse.
1.7 Recent past - AT
In the early 1980s, the IBM PC architecture standard was developed, computers lost their specific brand, and the backbone-modular construction principle was already fully established. Now manufacturers were not producing specific computers, but were inventing and improving more and more new devices. Of course, this also applied to keyboards. Companies such as Cherry, Focus Electronic, KeyTronic and others have been and are currently producing these devices. Progress does not stand still - new computers, respectively, and new keys.
During the period when only 286 processors were released for AT, manufacturers adjusted to the standards. But in order to at least somehow stand out, and perhaps fearing criticism (it turns out that there were also opponents of the “QWERTY” layout who wanted an alphabetical arrangement), manufacturers began to make some adjustments: for example, they implemented a change of layout directly to In fact, they even came up with a separate key for this. Some companies developed universal keyboards, for example, a two-standard AT keyboard turned into a PC/XT-compatible device by simply switching a toggle switch. But with the advent of new technologies, PC/XT was forgotten.
Several years have passed, and manufacturers have taken another step towards standardizing the AT keyboard. Many new functions have been added, including a new Sys Req key. But the main difference between the new keyboard and its predecessors was the control unit. The keyboard could be programmed with its own commands, which made it completely incompatible with PC/XT, although they had the same connector. Also, the Enter key has become much larger, and in general the device has become much more convenient to use.
1.8 Extended keyboard
The production of AT keyboards continued; new development. It became known as the extended keyboard. Despite the fact that in terms of electronics this device was a copy of its parent AT, the layout of the keys on it was changed. Their number was also increased, and the new keyboard acquired the look that is already familiar to us today - 101 keys. “F11” and “F12” were added (by the way, all “functionalities” were moved to a separate top row), the cursor control keys were separated into a separate block, the Ctrl and Alt keys were duplicated and spaced on both sides of the main block.
1.9 Hard contact keyboard
Manufacturers always try to reduce the cost and simplify production. Here comes a change in technology. The new product is called a “hard-contact keyboard.” The production of a capacitive keyboard was a complex process and, accordingly, quite expensive. New technology came to the aid of the consumer. In a hard-touch keyboard, each key acts like a small switch. When you press a key, the closed conductors begin to pass electricity, and a special chain records its presence. Next, the signal is transmitted to the microprocessor of the keyboard itself and a code is generated that is sent to the computer’s central processor. Simplicity of execution makes this type of keyboard very cheap. For example, the PCjr keyboard has become the standard of simplicity. It even used rubber pads (instead of springs) to return the keys to their original position. The main disadvantage of this solution is the fragility of the device itself, but it is cheap and cheerful. This technology is used in most modern keyboards. By the way, for the PCjr, IBM made an attempt to create a wireless keyboard: it placed an infrared sensor in it: the emitter on the back of the keyboard sent a signal, and the receiver connected to the port received it. The device required 4 AA batteries to operate. The keyboard could be used with or without a cord. When the wire was connected, the power supply from the batteries stopped, which allowed saving power.
2. User protection
Users often snack in front of the computer, and naturally spill sweet liquid and drop fatty foods on the keyboard - it’s the closest. This causes the contact film to stick together and the keys to stop being pressed. Manufacturers began to add another layer of plastic between the film and the keys, the keys acquired long pins, and the holes for them were raised above the surface. Thus, filling a modern keyboard with jelly is not easy, although if you try really hard, it is still possible.
2.1 ATX keyboards
New computers have brought an improved power management interface. The computer can now be turned off and on programmatically. As you know, laziness is the engine of progress, and in order not to reach for a button on the case or not to perform several operations with the mouse, a Power key was added to the keyboard, by pressing which you could turn off the power. The Sleep button puts the computer into and out of sleep mode. At one time, these buttons spoiled a lot of nerves for users who were accustomed to a 101-button keyboard, until they decided to make them smaller, rounded and recessed more into the body.
The keyboard connector has also changed. The second “birth” was PS/2, developed in the first half of the 1980s immediately after the IBM PC standard. It is much smaller compared to its Din-5 AT keyboard counterpart.
2.2 Multimedia and Win keyboards
Microsoft, which had been producing software all its life, began producing keyboards and also had a hand in the emergence of new keys. She placed them between the Control and Alt keys. One key opens the Start menu, and the other emulates a right-click. I had to “bite off” a piece of the spacebar. Some keyboard models have a built-in touchpad to control the mouse cursor. Multimedia control buttons have also appeared, for example, using a multimedia keyboard you can adjust the sound with one click or gain full control over Windows Media Player. Around the same time, the main browser control functions were transferred to the keyboard.
2.3 Keyboard ergonomics
Ergonomics is the adaptation of a device to the biological characteristics of a person. The Cherry company was the first to produce ergonomic keyboards, and this despite the fact that, like no one else, it always followed the classic style, right down to the color of the device. Its structure looked like this: the main letter block is divided in half, these halves are slightly apart at a slight angle (this angle of fixation could be adjusted), and there is a hump in the center. From now on I went new fashion to create ergonomic keyboards. The baton was picked up by Microsoft, Logitech, BTC (Behavior Tech Computer), and to this day they are leaders in the production of such devices.
2.4 Keyboard
Based on the location of the keys, desktop keyboards are divided into two main types, which are functionally in no way inferior to each other. In the first version, the function keys are located in two vertical rows, and there are no separate groups of cursor control keys. This keyboard has a total of 84 keys. This standard was used in personal computers such as IBM PC, XT and AT until the end of the 80s. Therefore, some consider this standard to be outdated. However, many professionals still prefer this type of keyboard. By the way, most medium and high-power computers to this day are equipped with just such an “outdated” keyboard. The second version of the keyboard, which is usually called improved, has 101 or 102 keys. Almost all desktop personal computers are equipped with this type of keyboard today. Professionals do not like this keyboard due to the fact that the function keys have to be reached far, to the very top row of keys across the entire letter keyboard. However, the number of function keys in the improved keyboard is not 10, but 12. And many users also like other additional conveniences and improvements. Groups of keys for working with texts and controlling the cursor have been logically allocated; some special keys have been duplicated, allowing for more ergonomic working with both hands. However, which keyboard is more convenient - everyone must decide for themselves. After all, changing the keyboard on a desktop computer is not at all difficult.
Another thing is a laptop computer, in which the keyboard is usually a built-in part of the design. Laptop computer keyboards are to one degree or another similar to both types of desktop computer keyboards, although due to lack of space in the compact subnotebook and palmtop computer models themselves, designers are forced to reduce the number and size of keys. The arrangement of letter keys on computer keyboards is standard. Today, the QWERTY standard is used everywhere - according to the first six Latin letter keys of the top row. It corresponds to the domestic QWERTY standard for the arrangement of Cyrillic keys, which is almost similar to the arrangement of keys on a typewriter. Standardization in the size and location of the keys is necessary so that the user can work “blindly” on any keyboard without relearning. The blind ten-finger method of work is the most productive, professional and effective. Unfortunately, the keyboard, due to low user performance, turns out to be the biggest performance bottleneck today. computing system. Working with the keyboard is very simple and intuitive. Press a key and the code for the corresponding symbol will be transferred to the computer. Pressing one or some specific combination of them means sending to RAM one or two bytes of information. In order to assign each keyboard character to a specific byte of information, a special table of ASCII codes (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is used - an American standard of codes for information exchange used on most computers. The encoding table determines the mutual correspondence of the images of characters on the display screen with their numeric codes. Even if the names of the keys on the keyboard are the same, their scan code is still different, and therefore, in principle, these are completely different keys. This fact is used when writing special programs that determine the processor's response to pressing a certain key on the keyboard. When a key is pressed, the keyboard sends an interrupt signal to the processor and causes the processor to pause its operation and switch to the keyboard interrupt routine. In this case, the keyboard remembers in its own special memory which key was pressed (usually the keyboard memory can store up to 20 codes of pressed keys if the processor does not have time to respond to the interrupt). After transmitting the code of the pressed key to the processor, this information disappears from the keyboard memory. In addition to pressing, the keyboard also notes the release of each key, sending the processor its own interrupt signal with the corresponding code. Thus, the computer “knows” whether the key is being held or has already been released. This property is used when switching to another register. Additionally, if a key is pressed for more than a certain amount of time, usually about half a second, then the keyboard generates repeat codes for that key being pressed. Characters are entered from the keyboard only at the point on the screen where the cursor is located. The cursor is a rectangle or line of a contrasting color, one character long. On a standard 101-key keyboard, in the lower left large block of keys, the so-called alphanumeric keys are highlighted in white. When you press these keys, an alphanumeric character is entered into the computer. Which one depends on whether the input mode is set to Latin letters or Russian letters, and whether the SHIFT key is pressed or not. Note: The name of the SHIFT key means \\\"\\\"shift\\\"\\\ it is inherited from typewriters on which, in order to enter uppercase (capital) letters, you had to move (usually lift up) the typewriter's printing unit.Key SPACEBAR, like on a typewriter, the largest key, located under the block of alphanumeric keys, is used to enter a spacebar (blank character).
2.5 Key groups
The keyboard consists of the following groups of keys
1. Main group of keys
Alphanumeric keys;
Enter - command input key;
Shift - uppercase key;
Caps Lock - uppercase lock key;
Ctrl, Alt - control keys, used to change the assignment of other keys;
Tab - tabulation key, designed to move the cursor several positions to the right (the cursor is a flashing sign (¦), indicating where to enter the next character);
Backspace - key to delete a character to the left of the cursor;
- key to call the main menu;
- key for calling the context menu.
2.6 Cursor keys
*, *, *, * - keys for moving the cursor, respectively: up, down, left, right;
PgUp, PgDn - keys for moving one screen page up/down, respectively;
Home, End - keys for moving the cursor to the beginning and end of the line, respectively;
Delete - key to delete a character to the right of the cursor (or above the cursor);
Insert - key for switching insertion/replacement modes: input with spreading of characters (insertion) and input with replacement of characters (replacement).
2.7 Auxiliary keys
The numeric keys on the keypad are combined with the cursor keys. In digital mode, numbers are entered; In cursor control mode, the key assignments are the same as the cursor control keys. To switch modes, use the Num Lock key.
2.8 Function keys
F1 - F12 - keys that call the most frequently used commands. They have different meanings in different programs.
5. Special keys
Eсс - command cancel key;
Print Scrn - used to print the contents of the screen on a printer;
Scroll Lock - used by some programs to fix the cursor in one place and scroll through the entire document;
Pause (Break) - key to temporarily stop the program.
2.9 Input mode for Latin and Russian letters
In the Latin letter input mode, when you press any alphanumeric key, the Latin letter or symbol shown on the left side of the key is entered (usually these letters and symbols are drawn on the keys in black on the left side of the keys). And in the Russian letter input mode, the Russian letter or symbol shown on the right side of the key is entered (usually these letters and symbols are drawn on the keys in red on the right side of the keys). Switching these modes is done using a key or key combination defined by the keyboard driver used (the program that performs keyboard input). Most often, this is done by pressing the right CTRL key, sometimes on both SHIFT keys, and there are other methods of switching (by double pressing the ALT + SHIFT keys).
To enter capital letters and other uppercase characters on the keyboard, there is a SHIFT key. For example, to enter a lowercase letter \\\"\\\"d\\\"\\\" you need to press the key that shows \\\"\\\"D\\\"\\\" (that is key D), and to enter a capital letter \\\"\\\"D\\\"\\\" you need to press the SHIFT key, and without releasing it, press the D key. The same way to enter the symbol \\\"\ \\"=\\\"\\\" is carried out without pressing the SHIFT key, and entering the character \\\"\\\"+\\\"\\\" is done by pressing the same key while pressing the SHIFT key. This can be seen from the fact that on this key the symbol \\\"\\\"+\\\"\\\" is drawn above \\\"\\\"=\\\"\\\".
3. CAPS LOCK key
The CAPS LOCK key is used to lock the capital letter mode. In this mode, pressing the letter keys normally will enter uppercase letters, and pressing the SHIFT key will enter lowercase letters (this is the opposite of what is done in normal mode). Caps mode (often called \\\"\\\" CAPS LOCK mode\\\"\\\") is useful when entering text consisting of such letters. Pressing the CAPS LOCK key again cancels caps mode.
Note: sometimes the CAPS LOCK key is used for other purposes, for example to switch to the Russian alphabet.
3.1 Function keys
On the top of the keyboard there is a block of so-called function keys F1-F12, the order of using these keys is determined by the program and operating system with which we are currently working. In many programs, when you press the F1 key, the built-in reference book for the program is displayed on the screen.
3.2 Cursor keys
The HOME, END, PgUp, PgDn keys are called cursor keys. As a rule, clicking on them leads to moving the cursor (the pointer of the current location in the document being processed) in the corresponding direction or to \\\"\\\"flipping\\\"\\\" the text displayed on the screen. However, in other situations, these keys (as well as their combinations with the CTRL, ALT, SHIFT keys) may have other meanings.
Note: 1. When processing documents, the cursor is usually
is represented by a vertical bar, and in DOS by a blinking symbol similar to an underscore.
2. The name of the keys PgUp PgDn means \\\"\\\"page up\\\"\\\" and \\\"\\\"page down\\\"\\\". Typically, pressing these keys will cause the contents of the screen (say, when editing a document) to page up and down.
3. Normally, pressing the HOME END key moves the cursor to the beginning and end of the line.
3.3 Numeric keypad
The key block on the right side of a standard 101-key keyboard serves two purposes. In the numeric lock mode (\\\"\\\"Num Lock"\\\" mode), this block is convenient for entering numeric information and arithmetic symbols. In this mode, when you press the white keys from this block, numbers from 0 to 9 and a period are entered. And if the number lock mode (Num Lock mode) is turned off, then these keys duplicate the cursor control keys, as well as the INSERT DELETE keys. Turning the lock mode on and off is done by pressing the Num Lock key.
Note: the name \\\"\\\"Num Lock\\\"\\\" literally means \\\"\\\"fixing numbers\\\"\\\"
Windows 98 is a multitasking operating system. This means that you can work with several applications at once. To do this, the system uses so-called priority multitasking for 32-bit applications and cooperative multitasking for applications.
3.4 Mode indicators
In the upper right corner of the 101-key keyboard are indicators for Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock. These indicators light up when the corresponding modes are turned on, and go out when these modes are turned off.
3.5 Special key combinations
There are key combinations processed in a special way: Ctrl + Alt + Del - (simultaneous pressing) restart DOS, end the current program in Windows (pressing these keys twice causes Windows to restart)
PrtScr (or Shift PrtScr) - printing on a printer a copy of the screen contents in DOS, placing an image of the screen or the current window on the Windows Clipboard.
Conclusion
Looking a little ahead, you can see how much further the keyboard has to go, and how it will still evolve; some keyboards now have smart card readers built into them. They supposedly serve for security, performing the function of a key: inserted - you entered the operating system, did not insert - did not enter. User-to-interface devices have also appeared, in particular, the DataHand System is not quite a keyboard - it is more reminiscent of a spaceship control terminal. There are no buttons as such, but there are ten holes where you need to stick your fingers. You can move your fingers in five directions, which is how you type. While you learn this method, and even with a new layout... The developer set himself the goal of reducing to a minimum the number of movements performed with the fingers, but at the same time maintaining the ability to work with both the keyboard and the mouse, and at the same time. The new generation touch keyboard is no longer a keyboard at all. There are only two sensors that need to be worn on both hands and printed through the air. If you get used to it, it will be very convenient to use the device for mobile solutions. This futuristic development works as follows: the device combines sensor technology with an artificial neural network, with the help of which the receiver accurately tracks the movements of the typing person’s fingers. Sensors respond to finger movements and convert them into letters. The new product supports the QWERTY layout.
Today, a computer without a keyboard is an inferior computer!
Information sources
1. IBM PC for user V.E. Figurnov.
2. How to work with a computer V.T. Pikul.
3. Microsoft Windows 98 operating system for beginners and more. Boris Leontyev.
4. http://www.claw.ru
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The roots of the modern computer keyboard go back to the 19th century. It all started with the advent of a simple typewriter. In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes patented his typewriter. The main key moment of this stage was the emergence of the first layout. It looked like a collection of symbols arranged in alphabetical order. As it turned out later, this was, to put it mildly, inconvenient, since rarely used symbols were in the most prominent places and vice versa.
In 1890, they came up with the “QWERTY” layout, which we still use when typing text in Latin letters. The name of the “QWERTY” layout comes from the first six Latin letters on the keyboard, starting from the upper left corner from left to right. And the Russian keyboard layout, paradoxically, was invented in America at the end of the 19th century. Since then, she has not undergone major changes.
The key moment in the transformation of the typewriter into a computer keyboard was the invention of the Baudot typewriter at the end of the 19th century. This method replaced the telegraph. Baudot communication used a code to encode letters of the alphabet, with which complex electromechanical devices printed the received text onto paper. The communication was synchronous, and the telegraph operator had to press the button only when receiving a special sound signal.
In 1948, the development of UNIVAC and BINAC computers began, intended not for individual production, but for relatively more mass production. Special attention was paid to input/output devices in these machines. The means of input and output for them were teletypes or tabulators-punchers. BINAC could record information on magnetic tape.
The year 1960 is a turning point in the history of the development of computer keyboards - an electric typewriter enters the market. It had a capacitive keyboard. The capacitive keyboard was produced on printed textolite boards. This keyboard allowed you to enter text at a speed of up to 300 characters per second. Its main advantage was the ease of entering text - now, in order to type, you did not need to put in as much effort as, for example, on a classic Scholz typewriter. 1960
1965 - creation of a new user interface - video terminal display. 1980s and early 1980s - manufacturers began to produce personal computers. The keyboards of these machines were superior in function and number of keys to electric typewriters.
1980s – development of modular PCs. The keyboard was connected to the computer using a cord and looked like this: a total of 83 keys, divided into two blocks. Late 1980s - extended keyboard. The layout of the keys on it has been changed. Their number was also increased, and the new keyboard acquired a look that is already familiar to us today - 101 keys.
Manufacturers always try to reduce the cost and simplify production. New technology has come to the aid of the consumer. In a hard-touch keyboard, each key acts like a small switch. When you press a key, an electric current begins to flow in closed conductors, and a special circuit detects its presence.
Thanks to this keyboard, the computer can be turned off and on programmatically. As you know, laziness is the engine of progress, and in order not to reach for a button on the case or not to perform several operations with the mouse, a Power key, a Sleep button and others were added to the keyboard.
Not only with the development of hardware, but also with the improvement of software, they tried to cram more and more keys into the keyboard. Microsoft, which has been producing software all its life, began producing keyboards and also had a hand in the emergence of new keys.
Content:
Introduction.
1.1 Stages of keyboard development.
1.3 Capacitive keyboard.
1.4 First personal computers.
1.5 Recent past - AT.
1.6 ATX keyboards.
3.2m In the world of interesting things.
Conclusion.
Application.
Introduction.
Relevance . It is difficult to say whether there could be a more important and universal device for entering information into a computer than the keyboard. It is quite possible that in the near future, when a person communicates with his computer through gestures, facial expressions, graphic images, video images and speech, the keyboard will be replaced by other means of entering information. However, today, when text and symbols as carriers of valuable information are still so important, a keyboard is necessarily included in the configuration of supplied personal computers. A computer without a keyboard is not a full-fledged computer!
Target – study the history of the development of the keyboard.
Tasks:
1. Study the evolution of the computer keyboard.
2. Identify the stages of keyboard development.
3. Learn about the first computer keyboards.
4. Get to know the capacitive keyboard.
5. Study the first personal computers.
6. Types of modern computer keyboards.
7. Practical part of the project.
An object - keyboard
Item – history of the keyboard development
1. The evolution of the computer keyboard.
Whatever you do on the computer, play or program, type a document or just chat, you use one of the most indispensable devices - the keyboard. Like any thing, the keyboard has its own history.
Birth
The roots of the modern computer keyboard go back to the 19th century. It all started with the advent of a simple typewriter. In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes patented his typewriter. The main key moment of this stage was the emergence of the first layout. It looked like a collection of symbols arranged in alphabetical order. As it turned out later, this was, to put it mildly, inconvenient, since rarely used symbols were in the most prominent places and vice versa. In 1890, they came up with the “QWERTY” layout, which we still use when typing text in Latin letters. And the Russian keyboard layout, paradoxically, was invented in America at the end of the 19th century. Since then, she has not undergone major changes.
The name "QWERTY" comes from the first six Latin letters on the keyboard, starting from the upper left corner from left to right.
Teletype
The key moment in the transformation of the typewriter into a computer keyboard was the invention of the Baudot teleprinting machine at the end of the 19th century. This method replaced the telegraph, in which information was encoded using a two-bit method (“dot-dash”, and later “signal present-signal absent”). Baudot communication used a five-bit code to encode letters of the alphabet, using which complex electromechanical devices printed the received text onto paper.
The communication was synchronous, and the telegraph operator had to press the button only when receiving a special sound signal. Later, data transfer became asynchronous, and this method of communication was called “teletype” (literally “printing at a distance”). In the 1920s, the teletype was already widely used to transmit financial and political information. Later, receiving devices became electronic, and in order to save paper, text was displayed on the screen and printed only when necessary.
1.1 Stages of keyboard development.
The emergence of the ENIAC computerAs input devices - punched card and teletype tape
1948
Development of UNIVAC and BINAC computers
Input/output means: teletypes or tabulators/punchers.
1960
Electric typewriter with capacitive keyboard.
The main advantage is the ease of text entry. It didn't require as much effort as on a typewriter.
1965
Users were able to see what text they were typing, and at the same time had the opportunity to edit it immediately.
1980
Extended keyboard. The layout of the keys on it has been changed. Their number was also increased, and the new keyboard acquired the look that is already familiar to us today - 101 keys.
1990
Hard contact keyboard. In it, each key works like a small switch. When you press a key, an electric current begins to flow in closed conductors, and a special circuit detects its presence.
1995
ATX KEYBOARD. The computer can be turned off and on using software. A Power key, a Sleep button, etc. have been added to the keyboard.
1997
Multimedia and Win-keyboards. Microsoft has added new keys to control multimedia.
1998
The Cherry company began to develop ergonomic keyboards. The keyboards have the main letter block divided in half, these halves are slightly apart at a slight angle (this fixation angle could be adjusted), and there is a hump in the center.
2000
Flexible keyboard. Not only are they easy to bend, roll and fold, but they are also waterproof, i.e. they can be washed
2011
The new generation touch keyboard is no longer a keyboard at all. There are only two sensors that need to be worn on both hands and printed through the air. If you get used to it, it will be very convenient to use the device for mobile solutions.
1.2 The first computer keyboards.
The year 1943 was marked by the appearance of the ENIAC computer, which created a sensation in the world of science. This computer was used by the military for ballistic calculations. He received source data through punched cards and teletype tapes. Software control of operations was carried out by switching plugs and dial pads.
In 1948, the development of UNIVAC and BINAC computers began, intended not for individual production, but for relatively more mass production. Special attention was paid to input/output devices in these machines. The means of input and output for them were teletypes or tabulators-punchers. BINAC could record information on magnetic tape.
Capacitive keyboard
The capacitive keyboard was produced on printed textolite boards. The name of the technology speaks for itself - this type works using capacitors located in the device. Two pads made of tin and nickel-plated copper, which, by the way, are not connected to each other in any way, either mechanically or electrically, form each key. Let's look at how this works. We press the key - the distance between the pads decreases, and the electrical capacitance changes, which when pressed is approximately 2 picofarads, and when not pressed - 20 picofarads.
The decrease in capacitance creates a stream of charged particles that is processed by the keyboard controller, which in turn generates a code for the key pressed. It seems long, but this keyboard allows you to enter text at a speed of up to 300 characters per second.
So, let's go back to our typewriter. Its main advantage was the ease of entering text - now, in order to type, you did not need to put in as much effort as, for example, on a classic Scholz typewriter.
New era
The next stage is associated with the development of multi-user systems, the division of computer time and the emergence of terminals. Computers were equipped with graphic displays and teletypes.
In 1965, the laboratories of Bell and General Electric merged to create a fundamentally new type of multi-user operating system, MULTICS (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service) (http://www.multicians.org), which later led to the emergence of the UNIX operating system. The main feature of the project was the creation of a new user interface - video terminal display. Now users could see what text they were typing, and at the same time had the opportunity to edit it right away.
The first personal computers
Around the late 1970s and early 1980s, manufacturers began to produce computers that could be afforded not only by the offices of large companies, but also by ordinary people for home use. There are plenty of varieties and different lines that have been developed. Maybe your house once had, for example, an Amiga or Spectrum. These computers were a regular keyboard into which the computer itself was built (processor, ROM, RAM and several modules for additional devices). All this was done compactly and did not take up much space. Of course, the keyboards of these machines were superior in function and number of keys to electric typewriters. For example, a number of keys like Control and Alt were added.
The curved arrow key became known as Enter and served not only as a carriage return, but also to complete data entry. To work with electronic documents, cursor control arrows were added, but for now they were on numbers. These elements found their active use in graphical interfaces and, of course, computer games, which began to actively develop as soon as personal computers became widespread.
Keyboard compartment
The next stage is associated with the development of modular PCs that were upgradeable. Their most prominent representatives are Apple computers (Apple PC), Commandore, IBM PC. All main components, such as the processor, RAM, were hidden in a separate case, and, accordingly, the keyboard was made separately from them, that is, it became a full-fledged device. It was connected to the computer using a cord through a Din-5 connector and looked like this: a total of 83 keys, divided into two blocks. The first block is alphanumeric, it also contained control arrows, and the second block is service (for system keys). This keyboard did not have the function of indicating the position of the capital keys Caps Lock, as well as the Num Lock and Scroll Lock. The main drawback was the placement of the controls. You had to reach for the function keys, and typing became simply inconvenient, and the Enter button hung somewhere in the corner and did not stand out among the rest in its size. This period can also be considered a key period in the history of keyboards - after all, the keyboard became a full-fledged device.
Apple specialized mainly in office computers, and it was the company that invented the mouse.
Recent past – AT
In the early 1980s, the IBM PC architecture standard was developed, computers lost their specific brand, and the backbone-modular construction principle was already fully established. Now manufacturers were not producing specific computers, but were inventing and improving more and more new devices. Of course, this also applied to keyboards. Companies such as Cherry, Focus Electronic, KeyTronic and others have been and are currently producing these devices. Progress does not stand still - new computers, and therefore new keys.
During the period when only 286 processors were released for AT, manufacturers adjusted to the standards. But in order to at least somehow stand out, and perhaps fearing criticism (it turns out that there were also opponents of the “QWERTY” layout who wanted an alphabetical arrangement), manufacturers began to make some adjustments: for example, they implemented a change of layout directly to In fact, they even came up with a separate key for this. Some companies developed universal keyboards, for example, a two-standard AT keyboard turned into a PC/XT-compatible device by simply switching a toggle switch. But with the advent of new technologies, PC/XT was forgotten.
Several years have passed, and manufacturers have taken another step towards standardizing the AT keyboard. Many new functions have been added, including a new Sys Req key. But the main difference between the new keyboard and its predecessors was the control unit. The keyboard could be programmed with its own commands, which made it completely incompatible with PC/XT, although they had the same connector. Yes, by the way, the Enter key has become much larger, and in general the device has become much more convenient to use.
Extended keyboard
Not much time passed, and although the production of AT keyboards continued, a new development was put on the conveyor. It became known as the extended keyboard. Despite the fact that in terms of electronics this device was a copy of its parent AT, the layout of the keys on it was changed. Their number was also increased, and the new keyboard acquired the look that is already familiar to us today - 101 keys. “F11” and “F12” were added (by the way, all “functionalities” were moved to a separate top row), the cursor control keys were separated into a separate block, the Ctrl and Alt keys were duplicated and spaced on both sides of the main block.
Hard contact keyboard
Manufacturers always try to reduce the cost and simplify production. Here comes a change in technology. The new product is called a “hard-contact keyboard.” The production of a capacitive keyboard was a complex process and, accordingly, quite expensive. New technology has come to the aid of the consumer. In a hard-touch keyboard, each key acts like a small switch. When you press a key, an electric current begins to flow in closed conductors, and a special circuit detects its presence. Next, the signal is transmitted to the microprocessor of the keyboard itself and a code is generated that is sent to the computer’s central processor. Simplicity of execution makes this type of keyboard very cheap. For example, the PCjr keyboard has become the standard of simplicity. It even used rubber pads (instead of springs) to return the keys to their original position. The main disadvantage of this solution is the fragility of the device itself, but it is cheap and cheerful. This technology is used in most modern keyboards.
By the way, for the PCjr, IBM made an attempt to create a wireless keyboard: it placed an infrared sensor in it: the emitter on the back of the keyboard sent a signal, and the receiver connected to the port received it. The device required 4 AA batteries to operate. The keyboard could be used with or without a cord. When the wire was connected, the power supply from the batteries stopped, which allowed saving power.
User Protection
It’s no secret that it works better with a cup of coffee and a fresh donut, so users often have a snack in front of the computer, and, naturally, spill sweet liquid and drop fatty food on the unfortunate keyboard - it’s closest, after all. This causes the contact film to stick together and the keys to stop being pressed. Manufacturers began to add another layer of plastic between the film and the keys, the keys acquired long pins, and the holes for them were raised above the surface. Thus, filling a modern keyboard with jelly is not easy, although if you try really hard, it is still possible.
1.3 Capacitive keyboard.
The year 1960 marks a turning point in the history of the development of computer keyboards - the electric typewriter enters the market. It had a capacitive keyboard.
The name of the technology speaks for itself - this type works using capacitors located in the device. Let's look at how this works. When the key is pressed, the electrical capacitance changes, which when pressed is approximately 2 picofarads, and when not pressed - 20 picofarads.
The decrease in capacitance creates a stream of charged particles that is processed by the keyboard controller, which in turn generates a code for the key pressed. So, let's go back to our typewriter. Its main advantage was the ease of entering text - now, in order to type, you did not need to put in as much effort as, for example, on a classic typewriter.
In 1965, Bell and General Electric laboratories teamed up to create a fundamentally new kind of multi-user operating system. The main feature of the project was the creation of a new user interface - video terminal display. Now users could see what text they were typing, and at the same time had the opportunity to edit it right away.
1.4 First personal computers.
Around the late 1970s and early 1980s, manufacturers began to produce computers that not only the offices of large companies could afford, but also ordinary people for home use. There are plenty of varieties and different lines that have been developed. Maybe your house once had, for example, an Amiga or Spectrum. These computers were a regular keyboard into which the computer itself was built (processor, ROM, RAM and several modules for additional devices). All this was done compactly and did not take up much space. Of course, the keyboards of these machines were superior in function and number of keys to electric typewriters. For example, a number of keys like Control and Alt were added. The curved arrow key became known as Enter and served not only as a carriage return, but also to complete data entry. To work with electronic documents, cursor control arrows were added, but for now they were on numbers. These elements found their active use in graphical interfaces and, of course, computer games, which began to actively develop as soon as personal computers became widespread.
1.5 Recent past - AT.
In the early 1980s, manufacturers were not producing specific computers, but were inventing and improving more and more new devices. Of course, this also applied to keyboards. Progress does not stand still - new computers, and therefore new keys. But in order to at least somehow stand out, and perhaps out of fear of criticism (it turns out there were also opponents of the “QWERTY” layout who wanted an alphabetical arrangement), manufacturers began to make some adjustments: for example, they implemented a change of layout directly on the go, they even came up with a separate key for this. Several years have passed, and manufacturers have taken another step towards standardizing the AT keyboard. Many new functions have been added, including a new Sys Rq key. The Enter key has become much larger, and in general the device has become much more convenient to use.
1.6 ATX keyboards.
New computers brought us, first of all, an improved power management interface. The computer can now be turned off and on programmatically. As you know, laziness is the engine of progress, and in order not to reach for a button on the case or not to perform several operations with the mouse, a Power key was added to the keyboard, by pressing which you could turn off the power. The Sleep button puts the computer into and out of sleep mode. At one time, these buttons spoiled a lot of nerves for users who were accustomed to a 101-button keyboard, until they decided to make them smaller, rounded and recessed more into the body.
The keyboard connector has also changed. The second “birth” was PS/2, developed in the first half of the 1980s immediately after the IBM PC standard. It is much smaller compared to its Din-5 AT keyboard counterpart.
Multimedia and Win keyboards
Not only with the development of hardware, but also with the improvement of software, they tried to cram more and more keys into the keyboard. Microsoft, which had been producing software all its life, began producing keyboards and also had a hand in the emergence of new keys. She placed them between the Control and Alt keys. One key opens the Start menu, and the other emulates a right-click. I had to “bite off” a piece of the spacebar. Some keyboard models have a built-in touchpad to control the mouse cursor.
Keyboard ergonomics
For those who do not know, let us explain: ergonomics is the adaptation of a device to the biological characteristics of a person. This is how we feel, how comfortable we are, how effectively we can use the device, and how beautiful it all looks.
The Cherry company was the first to produce ergonomic keyboards, and this despite the fact that, like no one else, it always followed the classic style, right down to the color of the device. Its structure looked like this: the main letter block is divided in half, these halves are slightly apart at a slight angle (this angle of fixation could be adjusted), and there is a hump in the center. From that moment on, a new fashion for creating ergonomic keyboards began. The baton was picked up by Microsoft, Logitech, BTC (Behavior Tech Computer), and to this day they are leaders in the production of such devices.
2. Types of modern computer keyboards.
Multimedia keyboards
Not only with the development of hardware, but also with improvements, they tried to cram more and more keys into the keyboard. Microsoft, which had been producing software all its life, began producing keyboards and also had a hand in the emergence of new keys. She placed them between the Control and Alt keys. One key opens the Start menu, and the other emulates a right-click. I had to “bite off” a piece of the spacebar. Some keyboard models have a built-in touchpad to control the mouse cursor.
Multimedia control buttons have also appeared, for example, using the multimedia keyboard you can adjust the sound with one click or gain full control over Windows Media Player. Around the same time, the main browser control functions were transferred to the keyboard.
Keyboard ergonomics
For those who do not know, let us explain: ergonomics is the adaptation of a device to the biological characteristics of a person. This is how we feel, how comfortable we are, how effectively we can use the device, and how beautiful it all looks. The Cherry company was the first to produce ergonomic keyboards, and this despite the fact that, like no one else, it always followed the classic style, right down to the color of the device. Its structure looked like this: the main letter block is divided in half, these halves are slightly apart at a slight angle (this angle of fixation could be adjusted), and there is a hump in the center. From that moment on, a new fashion for creating ergonomic keyboards began. The baton was picked up by Microsoft, Logitech, BTC (Behavior Tech Computer) and to this day they are leaders in the production of such devices.
A look into the future
Some keyboards now have smart card readers built into them. They supposedly serve for security, performing the function of a key: inserted - you entered the operating system, did not insert - did not enter.
User-to-interface devices have also appeared, in particular, the DataHand System is not quite a keyboard - it is more reminiscent of a spaceship control terminal. There are no buttons as such, but there are ten holes where you need to stick your fingers. You can move your fingers in five directions, which is how you type. While you learn this method, and even with a new layout... The developer set himself the goal of reducing to a minimum the number of movements performed with the fingers, but at the same time maintaining the ability to work with both the keyboard and the mouse, and at the same time.
The new generation touch keyboard is no longer a keyboard at all. There are only two sensors that need to be worn on both hands and printed through the air. If you get used to it, it will be very convenient to use the device for mobile solutions. This futuristic development works as follows: the device combines sensor technology with an artificial neural network, with the help of which the receiver accurately tracks the movements of the typing person’s fingers. Sensors respond to finger movements and convert them into letters. The new product supports the QWERTY layout.
3. Practical part of the project.
3.1 Basic characteristics of groups of keys on the keyboard.
According to their purpose, the keys on the keyboard are divided into main groups:
alphanumeric keys;
numeric keypad keys;
control keys, modifier keys;
function keys;
Additional groups:
specialized keys.
A certain number (twelve in a PC/AT keyboard) of function keys are located in the top row of the keyboard. Below is a block of alphanumeric keys. To the right of this block are the cursor control keys, and at the very right edge of the keyboard is a numeric pad, which can be removable.
Alphanumeric block
Alphanumeric keys are also called alphanumeric keys, data keys, data keys. The basis of this block is a set similar to . Typically, a single data key has multiple letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and symbols associated with it. Which letter will be entered is determined by the specified keyboard case - the keyboard operating mode set by the control keys or case switching keys.
The alphanumeric block includes keys for entering letters, numbers, punctuation, and arithmetic symbols, as well as special characters. In a standard PC/AT keyboard, this block includes 47 keys. For some languages, where the number of letters in the alphabet is more than 26, keyboard manufacturers produce keyboards with additional keys in the alphanumeric block - for example, on keyboards for (33 letters) there are already 48 of them (see:). There are no special keyboards produced for the Russian alphabet with its 33 letters - all letters of the Russian alphabet are placed on the keys of a standard PC/AT keyboard.
The alphanumeric block keys are divided into rows and zones. The bottom row of the block is above the space bar and the modifier keys , . He is considered the first. Above is the second one, also called the “home” row. Even higher is the third. The topmost row of block keys - the fourth - in the Latin layout does not contain keys for entering letters, but includes all keys for entering numbers. For this reason, it is often called the digital row. A zone is a set of keys assigned in the ten-finger touch typing method to the fingers of each hand. The zones are numbered from left to right.
The effect of alphanumeric keys depends on the case (lower or upper) and level (first or second) in which these keys are pressed.
Control keys
Control keys are designed to perform specific actions. They can be used alone or in combination with other keys. TOhimrelate: Esc, Tab ↹, Ctrl, Alt, ← Backspace, ↵ Enter, PrtSc, Ins, Num Lock, Del, Scroll Lock, Break, ⊞ Win.
Modifier keys
Modifier keys include the ⇧ , ⇪ , and (right Alt) keys. They are designed to change (modify) the actions of other keys. Enabling uppercase keys (with ⇪ Caps Lock disabled) is done by pressing and holding the ⇧ Shift key. Pressing and holding the AltGr key is used to move to the second level of the keyboard.
Modifier keys are the most frequently used keys, so they are larger in size. In addition, the ⇧ Shift and Ctrl keys are duplicated on both sides of the block of alphanumeric keys.
System command keys
These include: SysRq, Esc, PrtSc, Pause, Break, ≣ Menu.
Function keys
Also on a PC/AT keyboard, at the top of the keyboard there is a block of so-called function keys - from F1 to F12. (The keyboards had 10 function keys from F1 to F10, arranged in two columns on the left side of the keyboard.) The functions of these keys are determined depending on the system or application software: the motherboard configuration program (Setup BIOS) and, subsequently, the operating system running .
The functions of individual function keys, combinations of function keys with the ⇧ , and and “regular” keys form part of and, as a rule, are constant for a particular type of software. There are a number of universal assignments that are most widely used: often pressing F1 will display the program's built-in reference manual (often already open on the page corresponding to the program mode it is in), and pressing ESC will interrupt the current operation.
Special key combinations
There are key combinations that are processed in a special way: Ctrl + Alt + Del – (pressed simultaneously) restart DOS, end the current program in Windows (pressing these keys twice causes Windows to restart)
PrtScr (or Shift PrtScr) – printing a copy of the screen contents in DOS on a printer, placing an image of the screen or the current window on the Windows Clipboard.
3.2 In the world of interesting things.
The Keyboard Monument is the first land art sculpture in Yekaterinburg dedicated to a computer keyboard, located on the second tier of the Iset River embankment, from Gogol Street. Opened on October 5, 2005. Author - Anatoly Vyatkin.
“Monument to the Keyboard” became the first landscape sculpture in Yekaterinburg. Critics see it as a combination of Europe and Asia. A technical tool for communication between people, such as a keyboard, is presented in the form of an Asian rock garden, where people come for creative purposes. However, this is probably not the only thing that attracts local residents. Unlike other sculptures, you can sit on the “Keyboard”, you can walk on it and jump from one letter to another. Parents claim that thanks to this sculpture, children learn the alphabet faster, and active computer users believe in another practical meaning. Urban legends say that if you make a wish and “type” it on the keyboard, jumping from letter to letter, and then “press” “Enter,” it will certainly come true. And if difficulties arise, you need to jump to “CTRL, ALT, DEL”, after which life will “reboot”.
The sculpture influenced not only the emergence of new urban myths, but also the names of neighboring buildings. Thus, local residents jokingly call the river Iset by analogy with the name of computers “Iset”. The old building nearby is called the "system block".
The popularity of the sculpture is so great that it was included in the “Red Line of Yekaterinburg” route, which runs a line of paint along the asphalt through 30 major cultural sites in the city center. Each of them weighs at least 80 kg.
Conclusion.
Attempts to make the keyboard more perfect do not end there. Various letter layout options are offered that would make it possible to balance the load on the hands and reduce typing stress. According to research, frequently used letters should be placed at the top and in the middle of the keyboard, with vowels on the left side of the device and consonants on the right.
Due to the later introduction of typewriters in Russia, the Russian version of keyboards turned out to be more rational. The Cyrillic alphabet is arranged according to the principle - frequently used letters are concentrated in the center. As you can feel, this method is convenient and easy to learn touch typing.
List of sources used.
All about keyboard keys
Keyboard creation dates
History of the keyboard
Application.
How to clean your keyboard
What is a keyboard for you? Is this a panel connected to the system unit containing more than a hundred keys? Everything is true, but not quite. Modern keyboards are a true crown of the art of engineering and design.
And yet, any keyboard should be comfortable to use so as not to be broken.
The keyboards that you and I use are gradually becoming a thing of the past. Wireless keyboards have become widespread. But that's not all. These devices can have very different shapes and button layouts. They can be divided into two parts for the right and left hand. All these innovations are the result of many years of research by specialists. The trends in the development of touch screens have also not spared keyboards. If desired, anyone can now purchase a touch keyboard. Of course, it is not cheap, but it has one huge advantage: headache You won’t have to worry about how to clean your keyboard anymore.
Not everyone can afford such pinnacles of engineering, and some simply don’t want to spend money, so let’s look at the procedure for cleaning this peripheral device.
There are many ways, I will tell you the simplest and most original. The first one will tell you the secret of how to clean your keyboard with a vacuum cleaner. There's no point in vacuuming your keyboard right where it lies. But it will be very effective if you do this while holding the keyboard with the buttons facing down. Ideally, someone should help you. He should hold the keyboard and lightly tap the lid on top. A powerful vacuum cleaner will probably remove all large particles of debris, but will not be able to remove dirt stuck to the buttons.
A more elegant way will help with this. We take a thin ruler or a screwdriver in our hands (any other flat and thin object will do too) and begin to pick out the buttons. Do this carefully and do not forget to mark the position of the keys (take a photo or sketch of them). After removing all the buttons, clean all debris from the device. The buttons themselves can be cleaned by hand, or you can put them in a sock and tie them. The package can be thrown into washing machine with the rest of the laundry, don’t be afraid, nothing bad will happen.
After washing, dry the buttons and replace them in their places.