The Jammed Keys

The history of the QWERTY keyboard suggest that when human skill outpaces technology, progress can be trapped in familiarity.

What happens when human skill outperforms technological advancement?

The key layout of the QWERTY keyboard we know so well may seem random, but it’s not. The QWERTY layout was born out of a specific technical challenge, and its persistence offers lessons in how human adaptation can sometimes outpace technological evolution.