[net.general] keyboard setup

jim (04/22/83)

I heard this story recently and wanted to pass it along. I understand that
the reason typewritter (and by default terminal) keyboards were set up
like they are is because, on the old mechanical typewriters, the keys
which were most frequently used tended to jam, hence they were placed
furtherest apart! An example of how a standard can get propogated just
because its there, even after the technology has changed so drastically
that the reasons behind the standard have evaporated.
	So much for ergonomic design...     arizona!jim