Go Through the Computer Keyboard Timeline and History in One Minute

The computer keyboard has been the primary device for inputting text for centuries, and it has improved and been applied to cell phones and other electronic equipment. Some questions may occur to you: who invented the first computer keyboard, when did the first keyboard is developed and why is the keyboard letter arranged in this way? This article will give you quick answers by showing you the computer keyboard timeline.

• Part 1. Beginning of the Keyboard
• Part 2. Timeline of Keyboards
• Part 3. Make the Timeline of the Keyboard with MindonMap
• Part 4. Mechanical Keyboard or Membrane Keyboard, Which Is Better?
• Part 5. FAQs of the Computer Keyboard Timeline

Part 1. Beginning of the Keyboard

A surprising fact is that the keyboard was invented a long time before the computer. The keyboard came together with a typewriter with a professional look for business communication and a faster speed than handwriting. Many typing devices have been developed, but none are well-accepted. In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes invented the first typewriter. Due to the limitations of the mechanical structure at that time, frequently used letters are easily stuck and jammed. To avoid this problem, Shole separate the commonly used letters and create the QWERTY layout keyboard. The typewrite soon got popular and the QWERTY keyboard became the standard layout for the typewriters and computer in future.

Part 2. Timeline of Keyboards

Keyboard design and technology have developed fast, so let’s look at the detailed timeline of the keyboard.

Keyboard Layout Timeline

QWERTY Keyboard (1868)

Christopher Latham Sholes invented the first QWERTY keyboard to prevent the possible jamming of the typewriter he invented. Soon, due to the large marketing of the Sholes typewriter, the QWERTY keyboard became the most used and standard keyboard layout.

Dvorak Keyboard (1936)

August Dvorak invented a new layout in 1936 to improve typing speed. It places vowels and the most frequently used letters on the home row to reduce the finger movements when typing. However, as QWERTY keyboards are commonly used, the Dvorak keyboard is only an alternative in special areas.

Colemak Keyboard (2006)

Released in 2006, Colemak is an alternative to the QWERTY and Dvorak keyboards. It keeps many shortcuts of the QWERTY keyboard and changes the order of letters to improve typing speed.

Computer Keyboard Timeline

1874: QWERTY Layout Invented

Christopher Latham Sholes created the QWERTY key layout for the Remington typewriter. It was designed to prevent mechanical jams and, despite not being the most efficient, became the standard still used today.

1960s: Terminal Keyboards Appear

IBM developed electromechanical typewriters (e.g., Selectric) for use with mainframes. These early terminals laid the foundation for modern electronic computer keyboards.

1970s: External Keyboards

Machines like the Altair 8800 and Apple I had no built-in keyboards. Users connected external terminals or DIY keyboards. Later models like the Apple II and Commodore integrated simple keyboards.

1981: IBM PC and “Model F” Keyboard

IBM released the IBM 5150 PC with the 83-key “Model F” keyboard, featuring capacitive switches and excellent durability. This marked the start of standardized PC keyboards.

1990s: Membrane Keyboard

As computers became widespread, cheaper membrane keyboards replaced mechanical ones. They were quieter, lighter, and easier to mass-produce, making them ideal for office and home use.

2010s: Mechanical Keyboard Revival

Gamers and typing enthusiasts brought mechanical keyboards back into popularity. Brands like Cherry MX, Razer, and Kailh produced various switches. Features like RGB lighting, macros, and customization became common.

2020s: Diversity and Smart Features

Wireless/Bluetooth keyboards, ergonomic split keyboards, and low-profile mechanical switches emerged. Focus shifted to health, portability, and multi-device compatibility. Newer input methods include touch, AI shortcuts, and voice assistance.

Part 3. Make the Timeline of the Keyboard with MindonMap

To make the keyboard timeline visible and clear, you can create a timeline chart. MindOnMap is a professional mind chart creator specializing in making mind maps. It can help you create a well-structured keyboard timeline with ease. It gives you full options of timeline templates to make your timeline chart more appealing. You can add images and notes to make your timeline as detailed as possible. What’s more, if you don’t want to download software, the MindOnMap online version is also free and safe to use.

Computer Keyboard Timeline

1. Click the Create Online button above, sign up, and open the MindOnMap creator. You can also download and work offline.

2. Click New on the left corner and choose Fishbone, which is a nice option for keyboard timeline.

3. Input the word in the topic box and click Enter to add new topics.

4. Choose the tool from the top bar and the right menu to edit your timeline chart. You can add an image, comment, insert an icon, etc.

5. Download the image file to your device or share the link to visit online.

Part 4. Mechanical Keyboard or Membrane Keyboard, Which Is Better?

Mechanical keyboard uses separate switches beneath each key, providing a fluent and responsive typing experience. A membrane keyboard uses a rubber membrane and has a lower price.

Let's see the differences in detail:

Mechanical Keybord:

Tactile, clicky, or smooth (customizable)

50+ million keystrokes per key

Loud (varies by switch)

More expensive

Multiple customization choices

Faster and more responsive typing

Easier to clean/repair

Membrane Keyboard

Soft, mushy

5–10 million keystrokes

Quiet

Generally cheaper

Very limited customization

Slower response

Harder to maintain

Generally, the mechanical keyboard is best for gamers, programmers, and typists who want a better experience and faster speed. If you don’t have high requirement, membrane keyboard is good, too.

Part 5. FAQs of Computer Keyboard Timeline