The QWERTY keyboard layout
QWERTY is the most common English-language computer keyboard layout. The QWERTY layout is named after the arrangement of the first six letters on the keyboard.
Although the QWERTY keyboard is the most common, it's far from the best English keyboard layout available today. QWERTY began as a typewriter layout. Initially, keys on typewriters were arranged alphabetically. Pressing a key moved mechanical parts to imprint a character on paper. If two keys located next to each were pressed in rapid succession, the mechanical parts could become entangled. To keep the parts from entangling as often and allow people to type faster, the inventor, Christopher Sholes, separated commonly used keys from each other on the keyboard.
At the time, the QWERTY layout made it possible to type a little faster without the mechanical parts jamming. In a computer age, however, mechanical parts don't get entangled if you type too fast. In alternative keyboard layouts, keys are arranged to increase typing speed and reduce fatigue and discomfort while typing.
Although the QWERTY keyboard is the most common, it's far from the best English keyboard layout available today. QWERTY began as a typewriter layout. Initially, keys on typewriters were arranged alphabetically. Pressing a key moved mechanical parts to imprint a character on paper. If two keys located next to each were pressed in rapid succession, the mechanical parts could become entangled. To keep the parts from entangling as often and allow people to type faster, the inventor, Christopher Sholes, separated commonly used keys from each other on the keyboard.
At the time, the QWERTY layout made it possible to type a little faster without the mechanical parts jamming. In a computer age, however, mechanical parts don't get entangled if you type too fast. In alternative keyboard layouts, keys are arranged to increase typing speed and reduce fatigue and discomfort while typing.
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