[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

qwerty /kwer'tee/ adj. from the keycaps at the upper left pertaining
   to a standard english-language typewriter keyboard sometimes called the
   sholes keyboard after its inventor, as opposed to dvorak or
   non-us-ascii layouts or a space-cadet keyboard or apl keyboard.

   historical note: the qwerty layout is a fine example of a fossil. it
   is sometimes said that it was designed to slow down the typist, but this
   is wrong; it was designed to allow _faster_ typing -- under a constraint
   now long obsolete. in early typewriters, fast typing using nearby
   type-bars jammed the mechanism. so sholes fiddled the layout to separate
   the letters of many common digraphs he did a far from perfect job,
   though; `th', `tr', `ed', and `er', for example, each use two nearby
   keys. also, putting the letters of `typewriter' on one line allowed it
   to be typed with particular speed and accuracy for demos. the jamming
   problem was essentially solved soon afterward by a suitable use of
   springs, but the keyboard layout lives on.

   the qwerty keyboard has also spawned some unhelpful economic myths
   about how technical standards get and stay established; see
   `http://www.reasonmag.com/9606/fe.qwerty.html'.

= r =


see also:
space-cadet keyboard fossil demo 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

qwerty
     
         /kwer'tee/ from the top left row of letter keys of
        most keyboards pertaining to a standard english-language
        typewriter keyboard sometimes called the sholes keyboard
        after its inventor, as opposed to dvorak or
        foreign-language layouts e.g. "keyboard azerty" in
        french-speaking countries or a space-cadet keyboard or apl
        keyboard.
     
        the qwerty layout is a fine example of a fossil.  it is
        sometimes said that it was designed to slow down the typist,
        but this is wrong; it was designed to allow faster typing -
        under a constraint now long obsolete.  in early typewriters,
        fast typing using nearby type-bars jammed the mechanism.  so
        sholes fiddled the layout to separate the letters of many
        common digraphs he did a far from perfect job, though; "th",
        "tr", "ed", and "er", for example, each use two nearby keys.
        also, putting the letters of "typewriter" on one line allowed
        it to be typed with particular speed and accuracy for demos.
        the jamming problem was essentially solved soon afterward by a
        suitable use of springs, but the keyboard layout lives on.
     
        jargon file
     
        1998-01-15
     
     
see also:
dvorak space-cadet keyboard apl keyboard fossil demos jargon file 

Qwerty >> Q Words
Qwerty, definition of term: Qwerty
qwerty_pag1.html

Qwerty Keyboard >> Q Words
Qwerty Keyboard, definition of term: Qwerty Keyboard
qwerty+keyboard_pag1.html