Oscar M ENGL 21007 Portfolio

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Technical Description

Keyboard 

Oscar E. Mendez 

City College of New York 

Contents 

  • Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 3 
  • Typewriter (1866) ……………………………………………………………………..………………..Page 3 
  • Keyboards after the Typewriter………………………………………………………………………Page 4 
  • Teleprinter(1830-1840’s) 
  • Computer Keyboard(1960-1970’s). 
  • Ergonomic Keyboard(1990’s-present) 
  • Layout of the Mechanical Keyboard………………………………………………………………..Page 5 
  • Keys/Keycaps 
  • Switches. 
  • PCB 
  • Case 
  • Sound Absorbing Foam……………………………………………………………………….Page 7 
  • Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 7 
  • Self-Reflection ……………………………………………………………………………………………Page 8 
  • References……………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 9-10  

 

 

Introduction 

The Typewriter proved to be a revolutionary invention in 1866 that transformed the way we communicate in writing, whether it was about the speed, consistency, or ease that made humans love writing, it proved to be the most important tool for communication. As the years followed, many of the tools used in the past have either been replaced or upgraded to best fit today’s world of technology, one of them being the typewriter. The typewriter’s legacy continues in the form of the modern world keyboard. Unlike their predecessors, the keyboards in today’s world are Bluetooth enabled, silent, lightweight, have better portability, and has more functions than the typewriter. 

Typewriter(1866) 

The invention of the typewriter began in 1866, created by Christopher Sholes an American Mechanical Engineer, with the support from his business partners Samuel Soule and Carlos Glidden. The typewriter is similar to what we know as a keyboard except it has keys that are in alphabetical order, a ribbon used for ink, and the carriage to switch between paragraphs (More can be found here). Since the typewriter was originally in Alphabetical order, there was a flaw that came with it, that being that the ”mechanical character arms got tangled up” thus business associate, James Densmore, suggested changing the button layouts to ”slow down and ”prevent key jams” leaving with well-known key layout, ”QWERTY”. 

 

Keyboards After the Typewriter 

Teleprinter(1830-1840’s). The teleprinter, invented by numerous people, one of them being Donald Murray, functions the same way as the typewriter does except it allows for a printing mechanism as well as a communication system(”Murray or Baudot code” was used to communicate). 

Computer Keyboard(1960-1970’s). We are familiar with what a computer is, it’s a device that can display and do more work other than just writing out works. The first invention of this with a keyboard connected is the Xerox Alto (1974) invented by Charles Thacker. The ”Xerox Alto was capable of Graphical User Interface (GUI)” allowing users to interact with what’s being displayed, Mouse inputs, Networking, and Storage. While the layout is the same as the typewriter with little to no difference in layout and functions, the concept of the keyboard coming from the typewriter was still used and adapted to newer technologies. This represented a huge advancement in computers, even a huge enhancement coming from the typewriter. 

Ergonomic Keyboard(1990’s-present). Ergonomic keyboards are keyboards designed to reduce strain and discomfort associated with using the keyboard for long periods of time. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to be more comfortable, typically found in many layouts/designs that best fit the consumer. While there are many designs of the Ergonomic keyboards and many inventors, one we may have seen are curved or split keyboards that are intended to help the user with the layout comfortability. As it is similar to the typewriter’s layout, the major improvement is the comfortability that users can obtain when typing for long periods of time. 

 

Layout of the Mechanical Keyboard 

 

Keys/Keycaps. The Keys are what is used to input characters into the system, numbers, symbols, etc. The Keycaps on the other hand are the pieces that cover up the keys to safely input/press into the system to read. These keycaps can be changed to best suit your style, loud or silent, beautiful or ugly design. 

Switches. The Switches are the parts that allow the machine/keyboard to register what’s pressed. They are either Mechanical or Membrane-based. 

PCB(Printed Circuit Board). The circuit board is the electronic component that allows the keyboard to connect the switches to the computer to be read. The circuitry translates “your physical act of pressing a key into an electrical signal”. Both the computer and circuit board allow multiple keys to be read as they don’t all connect to one thing. The Circuit also has an Integrated Bluetooth Module, a small electronic component that communicates with other bluetooth devices without the use of a cable. 

Case. The important part that keeps all the components inside from any damage. The case can be made of various materials, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood, etc. This is also why the Ergonomic keyboards are the way they are since the case is what makes them up, not the inside. These cases vary in weight allowing for a better capability for travel. 

Sound Absorbing Foam. The Sound Absorbing Foam reduces the amount of noise produced by the keys/keycaps when pressed but do remember that not “all keyboards have sound-absorbing foam.” some prefer the loud noise, some don’t. 

Conclusion 

Right after the invention of the typewriter in 1866, this proved to be a game-changer for the way we communicate in writing. The abilities that came from the typewriter allowed us to communicate more effectively, in speed and time. After this tool was created, this allowed for multiple inventions to be created, rooting from the typewriter, which is known as the keyboard, which is way better than the typewriter in that it has improved in many parts stemming from the outside to the inside of the typewriter. The Keyboard’s evolution proved to be the continuous transformation of the typewriter and its advancements that make our lives truly feel like the future. 

 

Self-Reflection 

I hate writing essays, but the Technical Description essay made me like essays as I was able to freely choose what I wish to talk about to my reader. Not only was I able to choose what to talk about but I was also able to use images to further explain my work or provide it as a guiding system for the readers to follow. I felt as though the use of images do make a huge impact in the writing since it not only makes the reading more enjoyable with pictures and not only words but the message sent. I was able to understand the use of Images and Citation more effectively from the Technical Communication reading since it allows for readers to better understand my writing while also keeping them interested with the images. I also used the help of my previous peers to help me with the essay, we were able to effectively communicate and provide assistance on our work for better enhancing our work to be readable and understandable. This was quite a challenge for me since I never used pictures in my work to further explain my work since I did not know which images seem more reasonable to choose or how to explain these pictures to best fit the essay. One other struggle apart from the essay was Word confusing its self on how to structure my paper. For instance, I insert a page break to start a new page but the document separates it into three or even messes with my image size and structure. It was quite a hassle to deal with until it suddenly worked one day. 

 

 

References 

Bellis, M. (2020, January 13). Why your computer keyboard has a QWERTY layout. ThoughtCo. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-the-computer-keyboard-1991402 

Team, T. W. T. (2023, January 11). Mechanical keyboard parts: Names & Functions? (& graphic). Tech With Tech. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://techwithtech.com/mechanical-keyboard-parts/ 

Staff, D. K. (2022, May 20). All the parts of a mechanical keyboard explained. Das Keyboard Mechanical Keyboard Blog. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/parts-of-a-mechanical-keyboard/#:~:text=Parts%20of%20a%20Keyboard%3A%20In%20Detail%201%20Keycaps,Circuit%20Board%20%28PCB%29%20…%207%20Keyboard%20Stabilizers%20 

Bellis, M. (2019, April 27). The history of typewriters, typing, and QWERTY keyboards. ThoughtCo. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.thoughtco.com/typewriters-1992539 

Bhuyan, B. D. (2016, August 4). Here’s why keyboard letters are not arranged in alphabetical order! RVCJ Media. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.rvcj.com/heres-keyboard-letters-not-arranged-alphabetical-order/ 

Ford, J. (2020, June 21). Why is keyboard layout the way it is? AnswersAll. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://answer-all.com/object/why-is-keyboard-layout-the-way-it-is/#:~:text=Why%20is%20keyboard%20layout%20the%20way%20it%20is%3F,typing%20difficult%20as%20old%20typewriters%20would%20easily%20jam. 

Chris Woodford. Last updated: August 16. (2021, August 16). How does a typewriter work? Explain that Stuff. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.explainthatstuff.com/typewriter.html#:~:text=Before%20personal%20computers%20became%20popular%20in%20the%201980s%2C,that%20make%20neat%2C%20printed%20marks%20on%20the%20paper. 

Staff, D. K. (2022, May 20). All the parts of a mechanical keyboard explained. Das Keyboard Mechanical Keyboard Blog. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/parts-of-a-mechanical-keyboard/#:~:text=Parts%20of%20a%20Keyboard%3A%20In%20Detail%201%20Keycaps,Circuit%20Board%20%28PCB%29%20…%207%20Keyboard%20Stabilizers%20 

Price, D. (2019, March 7). Who invented the first computer and when? we investigate. MUO. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/who-invented-the-first-computer/#:~:text=The%20Modern%20Contenders%3A%20John%20Blankenbaker%2C%20Xerox%2C%20and%20IBM,9100A.%20It%20was%20the%20first%20mass-marketed%20desktop%20computer.