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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: rdjack21 on Thu, 06 August 2009, 15:06:07

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: rdjack21 on Thu, 06 August 2009, 15:06:07

Now this is a old keyboard.

(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/mr0001/GEDC0772.jpg)

It uses what looks like micro switch's

(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/mr0001/GEDC0761.jpg)

Maybe this confirms that it uses micro switches

(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/mr0001/GEDC0747.jpg)

I have to say I find this to be very interesting. And it is sitting there with one bid at $9.99

EDIT: Forgot to include a link to it: http://cgi.ebay.com/74-Sperry-Rand-UNIVAC-Vintage-Computer-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ250476601992QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a5191a288&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 06 August 2009, 15:38:26

Oldschool indeed. You don't see hand-routed PCB traces in a keyboard every day...

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 06 August 2009, 15:53:51

That would probably be an interesting experience to type on, if you could find a way to make it work with the AT protocol...

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 06 August 2009, 15:58:14

As far as I know, Micro Switch switches were linear switches that used the hall effect. Unless I am completely mistaken...

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 06 August 2009, 16:04:43

Oooh... a Hall-Effect keyboard. I have always wondered if there was truly such a thing. I have heard of them in an abstract sense, but have never seen a real one.

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: rdjack21 on Thu, 06 August 2009, 16:39:21

Did you notice that Punch/Verify switch at the top it really makes you appreciate all the good programming tools we have today.

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 06 August 2009, 17:25:59

Is that white chip a 4004, you think?

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 06 August 2009, 18:43:15

It's too big to be a 4004...

Title: '74 Sperry Rand UNIVAC Vintage Computer Keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 06 August 2009, 19:34:12

Now if only I could figure a way to make that work with a modern computer...because that is one of the most awesome keyboards I have ever seen.