Mechanical Switch Release Dates?

[Losttsol]

I've been looking through the various Wiki's, but don't see much about release dates for certain switches.  Is there any information as to the chronological release of the various switches I see in all the keyboards here?  I'd really like to know what came first, what is new technology, what is discontinued, what is old and still produced, etc...

[Phaedrus2129]

The switch types have existed for all eternity; they are all platonic ideals of form that exist in the ether and are magically transformed into real objects by the magical faeries of Zod.

[Lane Dean]

The switch types have existed for all eternity; they are all platonic ideals of form that exist in the ether and are magically transformed into real objects by the magical faeries of Zod.

I agree. Let us leave it at this and never ever bring up the question ever again.

[Losttsol]

I was going to put dates into the Wiki but after a few drinks I completely forgot about it.

It's ALL old.  Not as old as MW's computers mind you but seriously old stuff.

That's sad to hear actually.  Everything else moves forwards, but keyboards move backwards it seems.  You'd think someone would invent a new switch by now.

[8_INCH_FLOPPY]

It seems just about all of them where invented between the 1980s and the early 1990s.

[Phaedrus2129]

I'd like to see SMK Montereys reverse engineered and manufactured in Cherry MX compatible form. The patents have probably expired by now, and it shouldn't be too difficult.

[msiegel]

+1 for reviving old switches!

one thing we'll need are exact measurements / cad models of the old switches

[Phaedrus2129]

+1 for reviving old switches!

one thing we'll need are exact measurements / cad models of the old switches

Obtaining a Chicony KB-5181 wouldn't be too difficult. Some trial and error would be required, of course. And I don't think they really had CAD back in the 80s.


But given some decent engineers and some time... Maybe get Omron to do it?

[theferenc]

While it is true that keyboard tech hasn't significantly advanced in the past decade or so (how old is the Topre switch?), I don't think you can say input technology hasn't improved.

While the mechanics of the keyboard are essentially a solved problem, layouts have advanced, different input methods such as touch screens have evolved, and computer interaction in general has advanced quite a bit in the last few years.

Just look at what MSR was able to do with handwriting recognition in Windows 7. It's absolutely amazing, and it really does get better the more you use it, without any sort of official "training".

Or the MS Surface (regardless of what you might think, the first commercial multitouch system -- no, apple did NOT invent multitouch). It's utterly amazing to see in real life. I'd love to have one as a coffee table, for instance.

Or even the iOS input methods, such as the gestures. While I don't particularly like the idea of them, they are popular, and they are advancements -- multi-touch itself not being among them, as it goes back to the 80s in concept, and the Surface as a product.

[kidchunks]

Speaking of a Chicony KB-5181, think $69.99 is worth it? Been looking at getting one to compare with my ghss.

[Phaedrus2129]

Speaking of a Chicony KB-5181, think $69.99 is worth it? Been looking at getting one to compare with my ghss.

If it's NIB with SMKs, then yes. Otherwise, eeehhh. The board itself is kind of mediocre; only thing going for it is it sometimes has rare switches, SMKs or counterfeit Cherry switches.

[BucklingSpring]

That's sad to hear actually.  Everything else moves forwards, but keyboards move backwards it seems.  You'd think someone would invent a new switch by now.

Everything else really?

When was the last time you sat besides an old fart?
Ever wonder why they keep saying "In my days bla bla bla were much better".

[msiegel]

i don't see how that thing can Rock correctly, without an upper plate to pivot on

harris already figured out a reliable mechanical design that Rocks, why not use it

also, is it really true that walter cherry invented the capacitive spring that's used in topres ?

[Losttsol]

Everything else really?

When was the last time you sat besides an old fart?
Ever wonder why they keep saying "In my days bla bla bla were much better".

Technology I mean.  Mechanical keyboards still look to the past and luckily it works for now.  Maybe Razer will get tired of "hand picking" their Cherry blue switches and come up with their own.  The switch will growl instead of click.  I'm sure some crazy lights will be involved as well.

[Tap]

Mechanical keyboard manufacturers / keyswitch manus don't have release cycles like...oh...Apple.  

Every 9 to 12 months they release a minor upgrade to please their masses of fanbois...while at the same time calling the update/upgrade "magical".

[keyb_gr]

Another vote for switch revival here. Looks like Montereys do pretty well in feel and reliability, and that's something worth having around.

Obtaining a Chicony KB-5181 wouldn't be too difficult. Some trial and error would be required, of course. And I don't think they really had CAD back in the 80s.

'f coz they had CAD systems back then. Maybe not so commonly at the start of the decade, but definitely by the end. The data, if it still exists at all, may well be in some obscure old format though.

There are some companies specializing in "reconstruction" for integrating existing older parts into new designs. Not sure one would need those here though, such a switch still is reasonably simple.