Have you noticed that nearly all computer keyboards look the same? Most computer keyboards will follow the QWERTY layout and will be oblong in shape. In most cases, they will also be firmly made out of hard plastic.
QWERTY originated over a hundred years ago and was originally designed for the typewriter by a man named C.L. Sholes. Originally the key layout was designed to slow down typing, as the original mechanical typewriters were limited in how fast they could physically operate. The QWERTY arrangement was designed to have the maximum 'travel distance' between commonly used letters in the English language. It is called QWERTY as these are the 6 keys reading left to right on the top row of the keyboard layout.
For some reason, this layout of lettering on the keys has not altered for a very long time and has become firmly engrained upon western culture. Qwerty does have competition from the likes of DVORAK and the ABC arrangement of characters, but they are not as widely used. The DVORAK arrangement of keys was, like the QWERTY layout, designed based on letter use frequency in the English language, but was also designed to have the minimum average distance between letters. Despite the fact that DVORAK keyboard users can type many times faster than QWERTY keyboard users, the QWERTY arrangement has become standard.
As someone who wishes to purchase a new computer keyboard, there are plenty of options to consider when heading down to your local computer keyboard farm. Most keyboards are now equipped with function, alphanumeric and punctuation keys and have a host of special features.
You are certainly not restricted to QWERTY and there are alternative keyboards available depending on all of your specific needs and requirements.
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