Pulled the keyboard out of a Commodore Plus/4. This was the unpopular cousin of the C64, meant to compete with base line ($100) PC models around 1984. It was a flop in the states, but apparently had some popularity when the unsold units were dumped on western Europe for considerably slashed prices.
This is the keyboard (center).
http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27289&d=1316981494Keys are double shot like most of this era. The frontal text is screen printed on. Arrow / function keys use rubber dome.
Having trouble classifying the regular key switches. Here's a detail of one, plus the under side of a key. The spring usually sits inside the switch housing, with the small end fitted into the key.
http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27290&d=1316981554As you can see, the switch consists of a spring, widened at one end, the keytop, a gold contact and a strip of rubber padded with graphite laying over top the contact. When the key is pressed down, the spring pushes the coated rubber over the contact, completing the connection. It seems like a relatively stupid way to design a switch. The rubber would wear out relatively quickly with use. Keyfeel also sucks. More and more force is required to push the key as it gets lower.
All besides the point, though. Does anybody know the type of switch this would qualify as?
