Manual Keyboard Design

Abstract

The search for an ideal keyboard for use on letter coding and sorting machines has continued for many years, and the ideal is still to be realized. The development of keyboards in the British Post Office is traced and the results for each type are presented. One of the major problems is the difficulty of introducing a new type of keyboard to operators who are thoroughly familiar with an older type, yet have duties involving only a few hours' operating each week, mixed with other work. Under these circumstances performance may be worse for up to six months while operators grow thoroughly accustomed to the new keyboard. A better solution would be to introduce an improved type on opening a new office, but there is still a considerable delay before comparable results are available. A further limitation is the need for compatibility with standard typewriters used for initial training. The type of keyboard in use on sorting machines and two types in use on coding desks are described in detail.