Although commercially produced typewriters were breaking through into mainstream America, tension was thicker than ever between individual typographers and newspaper men who wanted their name attached to this new tool in some way.
Sholes-Glidden Typewriter, 1876
Because it was nearly impossible by the mid-1870’s for men to get their name on a typewriter model, many began putting their name on keyboard layouts. Layouts were designed and then proposed to typewriter manufacturers in hopes that their layout would become widely accepted and earn them royalties.
One of these self-serving men was Carl G. Qwerty, a newspaper editor from Charleston, SC, who patented the Qwerty Key System in 1878. He immediately sold his layout to Sholes-Glidden and saw his layout become the industry standard.
Qwerty’s layout allowed salesmen to impress buyers by spelling his last name and “typewriter” with just the top row of keys.
Curtis Samuels’s layout allowed his salesmen to spell his last name with just the top row of keys. He, however, had to sacrifice the letter “w” to do so.
As with most creations that bear their creator’s name, the Qwerty layout has outshone its now forgotten inventor. As you type out your correspondence, your academic papers, and your googles, take pause to think about the man whose name you hammer away on each day.
___
The editorial staff here at The History Bluff would like to extend their gratitude to Tim, a faithful THB reader from Greenville, SC, who assisted with the research of this story.
Timothy
10 months ago
It's about time someone brought this to the public's attention! I am a descendant of the late Thackeray Tyuiop, whose name also appears on the Qwerty row. More than a century later, we are still in litigation with the Qwerty estate, which stole great-great granddaddy's idea. We have evidence to prove this, and are working in conjunction with the non-profit foundation, "Citizens for ABCDEF." Again, thanks for your carefully-researched article on this more than one hundred year old injustice.
TheHistoryBluff
10 months ago
Tim,
We are aware of the ongoing litigation between the Qwerty and Tyuiop families. The Polk family, whose name is spelled backwards on the top and middle key rows, has recently filed a lawsuit as well. The family claims that their ancestor, Richard Polk, worked with both Qwerty and Tyuiop on the layout but was booted out when the project neared completion. According to their complaints, it was then Qwerty who secured the patent himself and kept all the royalties from both Tyuiop and Polk.
Wally_Lamark
10 months ago
I am related to August Dvorak, and he never got the credit he deserves. Go check out my great-grandpa's legacy!
Amature Polaroids
9 months ago
hm.. funny..