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geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: Stupidface on Sat, 22 January 2022, 23:07:02

Title: Manual Typewriter Users and RSIs
Post by: Stupidface on Sat, 22 January 2022, 23:07:02
Can GHers help settle a bet?

Party A says people who used manual typewriters thirty or more years ago experienced just as many (if not more) RSIs as present-day keyboard users.

Party B says, because manual typists were often taught the importance of such things as posture and proper typing technique, they experienced fewer RSIs than present-day keyboard users.

Which party is right?
Title: Re: Manual Typewriter Users and RSIs
Post by: TK0 on Thu, 17 March 2022, 21:09:10
Honestly, there is no way to tell which part is right without data/proper study. It is all opinion based.

I am not old enough to know how the world was when people used manual typewriters, and I know much less about the education regarding the importance of posture an technique back then.

Other factors to keep in mind are: 1. the overall information available regarding RSI; 2. how the medical expertise evolved regarding the topic; 3. the amount of time people are spending typing on average; 4. the number of people using keyboards.