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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: The Solutor on Sat, 02 April 2011, 03:31:22

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 02 April 2011, 03:31:22

Just out of curiosity who built the first membrane keyboard ?

I remember when the  Sinclair QL
(http://pc-museum.com/gallery/rcm-039-big.jpg)
was presented and its keyboard was marketed as "spill resistant" (and heavily criticized for that).

But maybe something was built before the QL.

Do you have any ideas on that ?

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 02 April 2011, 03:51:26

I think those keyboards had Cherry ML switches.

I suppose calculators would have had them. Then you had some of the early home computers -

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Atari_400P8.jpg)

These were zero-travel membrane switches. The key corresponded to the top layer of the membrane.

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 02 April 2011, 04:02:21

The QL was my 3rd computer, and has (i still have it) a membrane keyboard, not too different from the modern ones.

(http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/images/08-10-04-sinclair-ql-open.jpg)

My first PC was the TI994/A and its keyboard is not so common: the key pushes a silicone stem which in turn pushes on the membrane. But the silicone bit is not cup shaped, it's just a cylinder took in place by two lateral wings.

BTW I wasn't asking about the flat membrane keyboard, but about the classic shaped ones.

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 02 April 2011, 04:21:51

Forgot to mention the after-market Shöne keyboard.

(http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/userdata/PRODPIC-13833.jpg)

Probably this one used the cherrys.

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: Human on Sat, 02 April 2011, 06:01:03

Quote from: The Solutor;323198

The QL was my 3rd computer, and has (i sill have it) a membrane keyboard, not too different from the modern ones.

Show Image

(http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/images/08-10-04-sinclair-ql-open.jpg)

My first PC was the TI994/A and its keyboard is not so common: the key pushes a silicone stem which in turn pushes on the membrane. But the silicone bit is not cup shaped, it's just a cylinder took in place by two lateral wings.

BTW I was asking about the flat membrane keyboard, but about the classic shaped ones.

I loled at the keyboard matrix.

Oh wait, the size of PCB also take my attention

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: 7bit on Sat, 02 April 2011, 06:53:50

Quote from: The Solutor;323202

Forgot to mention the after-market Shöne keyboard.

Show Image

(http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/userdata/PRODPIC-13833.jpg)

Probably this one used the cherrys.

I like the color-scheme!

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 02 April 2011, 07:32:26

Quote from: 7bit;323219

I like the color-scheme!

Yes a good mix of vintage and modern look.

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: bettablue on Sun, 03 April 2011, 03:14:55

I bet that was a real ***** to type on.

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: The Solutor on Sun, 03 April 2011, 03:30:46

Depends on what you were coming from, at the time all kserious keyboards were mechanical, so if you were used to one of it the feel of QL was a bit strange.

But if you were coming (like me ) from the older brother ZX Spectrum

(http://img.hexus.net/v2/gaming/screenshots_pc/spectrum/zxspectrum.jpg)

The QL was an huge well... Quantum Leap

BTW the QL keyboard was later available on the updated version of the Spectrum, and also as an aftermarket upgrade.

(http://dic.academic.ru/pictures/wiki/files/90/ZX_Spectrum%2B.jpg)

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: hoggy on Sun, 03 April 2011, 03:57:30

(http://oldcomputers.net/pics/ZX81-doorstop.jpg)

Oldest membrane doorstop?

Title: Oldest membrane keyboard ?
Post by: The Solutor on Sun, 03 April 2011, 04:05:37

Quote from: hoggy;323635

Show Image

(http://oldcomputers.net/pics/ZX81-doorstop.jpg)

Oldest membrane doorstop?

Never used a ZX81, nor a ZX80, no doors here, just force fields. :tongue: