Very fun to peruse! Curious why the olivetti typewriter has such strangely shaped key caps.
While it seems like OLPC didn't really achieve the full vision of the project, I have some anecdata of success - my coworker got an OLPC when young (otherwise without access to computers), learned to code on it, and is now an awesome programmer.
Missing, notably:
Oh, wow, its arrow keys were GHJK instead of HJKL (and a different order).
Microsoft sold their Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard design to Incase and it has been "coming soon" for 3+ years. I don't look forward to finding an alternative.
https://kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards/mwave/
What about the kinesis mWave? Are there significant differences?
> And here’s the most modern version of a practice keyboard I know of – itself a small computer.
The author should check out the AlphaSmart line of devices made into the early 2000s, especially the early pre-PalmOS devices! I was kind of surprised not to see any on the list.
My Neo2 is basically a very simple buffer you can type into and dump into a computer later. It transmits to computer by emulating a USB keyboard and dumping the contents keystroke by keystroke into whatever program you happen to have running.
In addition though it has a very simple typing tutor. There's not much to it, it's no true Mavis Beacon alternative but it's a fun little addition to such a simple device.
I actually work with a number of former AlphaSmart employees, which is funny because I bought my Neo2 as a writing aid before I knew any of this. I was telling a coworker about it and he replies "You know I worked on that, right?" No, I did not. Small world.
I've had an AlphaSmart 3000 apart and it's nice to see some personality expressed on the silkscreen.
And a fun easter egg if you type 1 + 1 in the calculator.
Fun piece, I'm still curious about a real COLEMAK keyboard.
What a lovely collection
At the end is the OLPC, whose keyboard was as bad as as it looks. Like typing on a Silpat. Yet I used the hell out of it, would take it hiking even - it was indestructible. Mine's logo was green and purple and I miss it every day
I type day to day on an Apple Extended Keyboard II, which is great, but I would very much like to find one of the NeXT keyboards…
I wish split keyboards were the norm
TIL about the SafeType keyboard. Wild.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomic_keyboard#/media/File...
Of course I'm going to focus in on the one thing I was involved with. The Nintendo PowerGlove should be compared with devices of its class from its own time rather than modern cherry key keyboards. Yes.. the membrane keyboard was bad when compared to a modern keyboard. But you know what else it was? Affordable. The whole power-glove cost only slightly more (in 2025 dollars) than the last keyboard I bought. And it hooks up to a NES and lets you point at stuff using your hand.
I love my keychron, but last I checked I could not use it to point at virtual squash balls on my TV.
Which is to say, if the only comment you can come up with about the PowerGlove is "This keypad... is so bad," then you seriously missed the point.
[ And while I'm here and b*ching about things... how does the Olivetti Praxis 48 use the same palette as the NeXT ADB Keyboard? ]
[ And I can't stop... Yes, the Canon Cat keyboard is awesome. But it's somewhat weird to use as you don't have arrow keys, just creep/leap forward/backwards. It takes a little getting used to and the keys themselves don't have the best feel. I've been thinking about replacing the key mechanisms with something modern. ]
That safe type keyboard literally made me wonder for a while. And then I read that there are mirrors. Crazy!
Number 23 says it's a Bulgarian keyboard but the linked article states that's in fact Ukranian.
I envy people that collect things. It seems like a fun hobby. Wish I was that passionate about something.
It’s a shame the book doesn’t seem to be available.
I have a copy from the kickstarter, it's the best and most expensive ($175) thing I've ever gone in on crowdfunding for.
Absolutely beautiful books. Great photography, they even worked up their own typefaces and do fun typographic things all over the place. Well written and deeply _deeply_ researched.
I have very few complaints, maybe the section on chorders is a little thinner than I'd like, but that's a pet interest of mine and I've chased down a bunch of material so my perspective is weird.
From the kickstarter updates, the original run were an ordeal to make, but I really do hope there is enough interest for a second printing at some point.
Agreed, this is the first I've heard of it and I would love that set! I hope they do another printing some day.
What, no Zaurus?
If you're curious about more rare keyboards, HaaTa has a pretty unbelievable collection.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaata/collections/721576...
I've seen a working linotype machine in action. It's a monster.
