Computer Keyboards Codexery

Ergonomic keyboard

Keyboard designed to minimize muscle strain and fatigue.

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Ergonomic keyboard

Chris Hsia from United States · CC BY-SA 2.0

An ergonomic keyboard is a computer keyboard designed to minimize muscle strain, fatigue, and other problems through ergonomic considerations.[1] These keyboards aim to reduce discomfort in users' wrists, arms, shoulders, and necks by rearranging keys to align with neutral postures.[2] The common QWERTY layout originated from a mechanical typewriter patented in 1878 by C. Latham Sholes.[3]

Quick Facts

Patent year
1878
Patent holder
C. Latham Sholes
First study year
1926
First study author
Klockenberg
Second study year
1972
Second study author
Kroemer
Contoured keyboard introduced
1977
Contoured keyboard name
Maltron

Facts from the source article.

How it changed

In 1926, Klockenberg published a study suggesting that primary key clusters for two-handed typists should be split into left and right halves set at an angle.[4] Adjustable split keyboards allow customization of the distance between the two halves, benefiting people with broad shoulders.[5] Compact keyboards lack the numeric block, which frees up space for better mouse placement.[6] Kroemer's 1972 study, published in Human Factors, proposed that a split keyboard with adjustable features could potentially lessen discomfort for users.[4]

Multiple investigations from the 1970s pointed to a heightened chance of musculoskeletal problems among data entry workers.[4] Fixed split keyboards are built to suit a broad user population, though they might not achieve a perfect fit for any single individual.[5] Keyboards with contoured surfaces, such as the Maltron (introduced in 1977) and the Kinesis Advantage (launched in 1992+), position keys within two curved wells spaced about shoulder-width apart.[7]

What the maker and period sources say

A 2020 guide by Harrington notes that full-sized keyboards are standard in offices and come with a number pad, home cluster, function keys, and arrow keys.[8] Harrington states that tenkeyless keyboards typically have 87 keys and balance size and functionality.[8] A 2021 review by Kealoha describes the SafeType vertical ergonomic keyboard as surprisingly usable despite its weird appearance.[9] Kealoha notes that the SafeType implements an idea first used by Kinesis: the left half of the spacebar becomes Backspace.[9]

A 2021 review by Peters describes the ZSA Moonlander Mark I as endlessly customizable, with a split layout and tented angles.[10] Peters notes that the Moonlander's staggered columnar layout is designed to make it easier for fingers to reach keys above and below the home row.[10]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Ergonomic keyboard" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Michelle Manalo, "Blueprint for a healthy workstation", The Calgary Herald, April 5, 2007 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Ergonomic keyboard" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Rempel, "The Split Keyboard: An Ergonomics Success Story", Human Factors, 2008-06-01, p. 385–392 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Ergonomic keyboard" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Stamp, Jimmy, "Fact or Fiction? The Legend of the QWERTY Keyboard", Smithsonian Magazine, May 3, 2013; "On the Prehistory of QWERTY", ZINBUN, 2011, p. 161–174 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Ergonomic keyboard" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Rempel, "The Split Keyboard: An Ergonomics Success Story", Human Factors, 2008-06-01, p. 385–392; Klockenberg, E.A., "Rationalisierung der Schreibmaschine und ihrer Bedienung", Springer, 1926; Rempel, "The Split Keyboard: An Ergonomics Success Story", Human Factors, 2008-06-01, p. 385–392; Kroemer, K.H. Berhard, "Human engineering the keyboard", Human Factors, February 1972, p. 51–63; Rempel, "The Split Keyboard: An Ergonomics Success Story", Human Factors, 2008-06-01, p. 385–392 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Ergonomic keyboard" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Keyboard Ergonomics and Setup", healthycomputing.com (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Ergonomic keyboard" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Ergonomische Anforderungen an Eingabemittel für Geräte der Informationstechnik", Hauptverband der Gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften, 2008, p. 76 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Ergonomic keyboard" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Buxton, Bill, "Classic", Buxton Collection (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Harrington, "The Different Keyboard Sizes and Layouts Explained", Switch and Click, 2020-03-20. facts only, no text reused. switchandclick.com
  9. Kealoha, "SafeType Keyboard", All Things Ergo, 20 December 2021. facts only, no text reused. allthingsergo.com
  10. Peters, Jay, "ZSA's Moondlander Mark I is the ultimate customizable ergonomic keyboard", The Verge, July 11, 2021. facts only, no text reused. theverge.com

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Ergonomic keyboard (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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