Ergonomic keyboard

The common QWERTY keyboard layout is credited to the mechanical typewriter designed by C. Latham Sholes and patented in 1878; research indicates the layout may have been influenced by telegraph operators. The offset in the columns between rows was designed to accommodate the physical links between each key and the internal mechanisms of the typewriter; as typing duties transitioned to electric (motorized) typewriters and then computers, the layout was retained to ease the transition for users that had already been trained to type. However, the legacy mechanical layout has numerous idiosyncrasies, including the staggered column layout, which can force the user into uncomfortable, repetitive movements and postures. Several potential solutions have been proposed since at least 1926. Ergonomic keyboards, in essence, are created with the aim of minimizing discomfort in users' wrists and reducing unnecessary finger movements by rearranging or repositioning the keys. For instance, typing on a conventional keyboard layout can force the user into shoulder elevation, wrist ulnar deviation, and head rotation. A more detailed study was published in 1972 by Kroemer, suggesting that an adjustable split keyboard may reduce user pain. During the 1970s, several studies were published suggesting that data entry operators were at risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries. as it frees up space to the right side of the keyboard for better placement of the mouse. This reduces the outward rotation angle of the arm when switching to the mouse. They come in two main categories. While the ten key less (TKL) only omits the numeric block, the 75% layout changes the placement of the arrow keys as well. Compact keyboards should not be mixed with miniature keyboards which in addition have a reduced key cap size. Split key clusters Split keyboards group keys into two or more sections. By separating the keyboard, split keyboards typically change the angles and the distance between each section to ensure the user's wrists remain straight. There are four relevant parameters: On the other hand, adjustable split keyboards sometimes intimidate potential users, who may fear they may exacerbate or become more susceptible to repetitive strain injuries. Due to reduced tension people might tend to a more forward neck posture; Fixed split keyboards like the Microsoft Natural have sold well in comparison. The angled split keyboard (sometimes referred to as a Klockenburg keyboard) is similar to a split keyboard, but the middle is tented up so that the index fingers are higher than the little fingers while typing. Key Ovation makes the Goldtouch ergonomic keyboard which is an adjustable angled split keyboard. On some ergonomic keyboards, the tenting angle is increased to 90° so the user types with their hands perpendicular to the ground, thumbs-up, similar to the hand position adopted by accordion players. File:Apple Adjustable Keyboard.jpg|The Apple Adjustable Keyboard (1992) splits the alphanumeric keys into two halves with an adjustable opening angle File:ErgoLogicFlexProKB2652.jpg|KeyTronic FlexPro and OEM ergoLogic (1993) File:MicrosoftNaturalKeyboardGen1.jpg|The Microsoft Natural Keyboard (1994) is a fixed split keyboard File:IBM Adjustable Keyboard.jpg|IBM Adjustable Keyboard (Model M15, 1994) with a ball joint to control opening and tenting angles File:New ergonimic keyboard & mouse.jpg|Goldtouch (1997) adjustable split keyboard has a similar ball joint File:Kinesis Freestyle Edge KB950.jpg|The Kinesis Freestyle (2007) adjustable split keyboard linked by a cable and removable link; additional accessories are used to adjust tenting angle or attach a handrest File:My new keyboard.jpg|The Kinesis Free style allows fully splitting each key cluster File:20180828-IMG 1092 (42544615930).jpg|DIY keyboard with full split and compact layout Vertical column layout Because electric typewriters and computer keyboards no longer need to accommodate a mechanical linkage, the keys can be set in vertical columns without staggering, minimizing lateral finger movements when moving between rows, but increases the distance between the pointing finger neutral position to some of its secondary keys. This vertical layout rearranges the keys into linear columns. If the rows remain aligned horizontally, the resulting ortholinear layout puts the keys on an orthogonal grid. Other designs use vertical columns with staggered rows to compensate for the difference in finger lengths. A keyboard with vertical columns can require an adjustment period as the user retrains their finger movements. ErgoDox, ZSA Moonlander, and Zergotech Freedom keyboard. File:Bluestork teclado FunKids.JPG|An ortholinear keyboard, with keys arranged in an orthogonal grid with vertical columns File:QWERTY Truly Egronomic Keyboard.jpg|The Truly Ergonomic keyboard, which combines fixed-split design with staggered columns File:Ergodox (15322160951).jpg|ErgoDox, adjustable-split with staggered columns and thumb blocks Contoured surface The preceding split and vertical column keyboards arranged each key cluster onto a single flat plane. Contoured- or dished-surface keyboards like the Maltron (1977) or the newer Kinesis Advantage line (1992+) are fixed split keyboards with tenting that place the keys into two curved depressions set approximately at shoulder width. The function keys, navigation keys, and modifiers such as , , etc. are set between the key groups for use with the thumbs. For these keyboards, the resulting bowl-like key surfaces are intended to minimize and make consistent the finger extension required to strike keys away from the home row. In general, contoured keyboards also incorporate a vertical column layout with staggered rows for each hand. In this configuration, minimal movement of arms and wrists is required. Some keyboards combine vertical key columns and contoured surfaces with fully-adjustable (independent) split key clusters. Examples include the Kinesis Advantage 360, Dactyl Manuform, and MoErgo Glove80. With a relatively small market, many are custom-built or sold as kits to be assembled by the user, with extensive customization options. File:Maltron Dual Hand keyboard with Malt Key distribution.jpg|Maltron contoured keyboard with Malt Layout File:Kinesis-Contoured Keyboard Classic-2.jpg|Kinesis Contoured Classic with QWERTY layout File:2018 Bay Area Mechanical Keyboard Meetup (45898027122).jpg|Custom adjustable split contoured keyboard with vertical columns and staggered rows File:Kinesis Advantage 360 Wired.jpg|The Kinesis Advanteage 360 combines contured keyboards with fully split characteristics Vertical keyboard Notably the SafeType keyboard might be a special case of split layout with the 90° tenting angle. File:Roger's crazy new keyboard.jpg|The SafeType keyboard is a fixed split keyboard with a 90° tenting angle File:Transkribeingsgrottan - two ergonomic keyboards (2015-02-06 by mikael altemark).jpg|Kinesis Freestyle with vertical Ascent clipped ==Keyboard alternatives==

left and right entry devices A few ergonomic keyboards do not have the typical one key per letter, such as a keyer, chorded or a keyless ergonomic keyboard. For example, DataHand eliminates the need for any wrist motion or finger extension; each finger has five separate switches triggered by buttons or paddles. Advances in speech recognition have made it possible to eliminate the use of a keyboard altogether, particularly on smaller devices that lack traditional keyboard interfaces. Handheld ergonomic keyboards are designed to be held like a game controller, and can be used as such, instead of laid out flat on top of a table surface. They allow the user the ability to move around a room or to lean back on a chair while also being able to type in front or away from the computer. Some variations of handheld ergonomic keyboards also include a trackball mouse that allow mouse movement and typing included in one handheld device. File:AlphaGrip Keyboard on a Desk, Jan 2014.jpg|An "AlphaGrip" Handheld Keyboard File:Septambic key numbering.jpg|Handmade keyer with seven key switches, custom-molded for the left hand of a single user File:Kinesis-Evolution2.jpg|Chair integrated keyboard File:TiPY Keyboard.jpg|One hand keyboard File:Veyboard.jpg|Veyboard (Velotype) File:TRON-keyboard-OKI-front.jpg|Specialized Japanese Keyboard as part of the TRON project ==Considerations==

It is widely claimed that an ergonomic keyboard may reduce muscle strain and reduce risk of carpal tunnel syndrome or other kinds of repetitive strain injury. There are many factors leading to such conditions that appear only after extended use, making it challenging to isolate a single cause. An ergonomic keyboard alone doesn't make an ergonomic workplace. It requires the involvement of the user, the whole environment and the tasks being executed. But such keyboards fulfill general principles of ergonomics that advocate for comfortable posture with joints in neutral position to reduce general strain. There are indications, however, that that these are not well tolerated. They break with existing user habits, differ from other workplaces and usually consume more desk space. For better user acceptance layout changes should be avoided, tenting and hand-rests should be optional and user preferences must be respected. Narrow studies examining hand position at rest neglect many other possible factors. Ergonomic keyboards may only change the area of stress instead of eliminating it. ==See also==