What Is a QWERTY Keyboard?
A QWERTY keyboard refers to the arrangement of keys on an English keyboard. The first QWERTY keyboard was invented for use with the typewriter. The first six characters on the top of the keyboard spell out the word QWERTY.
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History
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The inventor of the typewriter, Christopher Sholes, designed the arrangement of keys in 1868. It is said he arranged the keys to prevent jamming on typewriters by separating commonly used characters, not for speed typing.
Patent
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The QWERTY keyboard was patented in 1878 and did not include a one or zero key. These were excluded to lower manufacturer costs and simplify the design since you could use other keys in place of those numbers.
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Left Versus Right Hand
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Using the QWERTY keyboard, you can type many more words using just your left hand than using your right hand. You can spell hundreds of words with your right hand and thousands with your left.
Alternatives
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The QWERTY layout is no longer needed with modern technology since you don't have to worry about jamming a typewriter. Other keyboards have been invented to allow speed typing, such as the Dvorak Simplified keyboard, although they haven't been widely accepted.
Cell Phones
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Many cell phones come with QWERTY keyboards today. This is much preferred for consumers who do a lot of text messaging.
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