First computer keyboard with "inverted 't'" arrow layout?

Muirium · 15 Aug 2014, 14:44

Got 'em, thanks. (I can access info@DT any time, so just ping me to go look.) Here they are downscaled to 50%. Click to see them at native resolution. I think they show up pretty good.

Here are some Keyboard drawings for the Univac U 100 terminal.

: OceTDS7530 keybd assemb.jpg (836.99 KiB) Viewed 2993 times

: OceTDS7532 KB key layout.jpg (633.02 KiB) Viewed 2993 times

: OceTDS7533 KB top deck.jpg (727.36 KiB) Viewed 2993 times

Here are some additional drawings for the Univac U 100 terminal.

: OceTDS7534 main housing.jpg (601.49 KiB) Viewed 2993 times

: OceTDS7531 front panel, CRT.jpg (614.87 KiB) Viewed 2993 times

I can upload the originals to the Wiki if you like. They need descriptions and a page to belong to, though. More stories required!

HaaTa · 15 Aug 2014, 21:44

Ooooo. Very cool.

I'm gonna make this one my wallpaper at home.

univac1cad_inverted

mtl · 16 Aug 2014, 04:15

What an amazing thread. Thanks, BobbyD!

Muirium · 22 Aug 2014, 01:50

And there's more. This time a widescreen model which looks quite catching on a pedestal. Was that a real accessory I wonder?

: IMG_0007.jpg (3.31 MiB) Viewed 2841 times

: IMG_0003.jpg (5.96 MiB) Viewed 2841 times

: IMG_0004.jpg (938.62 KiB) Viewed 2841 times

The top picture is precisely how I imagine Mr_A500 imagines himself, shoes and all…

mr_a500 · 29 Aug 2014, 14:59

Muirium wrote: ↑Got 'em, thanks. (I can access info@DT any time, so just ping me to go look.) Here they are downscaled to 50%. Click to see them at native resolution. I think they show up pretty good.

Here are some Keyboard drawings for the Univac U 100 terminal.

Fascinating. Thanks BobbyD (and Muirium). Those look like the rubber domes in the diagram. So that means when you said, "There was no other terminal on the market at that time using a thin KB and this feature served well to distinguish the product" - that means that it was the rubber dome that allowed for this design. How ironic. I've always hated rubber domes and considered them a curse in the development of the keyboard and now I find that one of the earliest, most beautiful terminal designs was only possible because of it.

Muirium wrote: ↑The top picture is precisely how I imagine Mr_A500 imagines himself, shoes and all…

How'd you guess?

mr_a500 · 17 Mar 2015, 04:42

There's also this (mid-70's?) keyboard from a Delta Data Systems terminal. The "inverted 't'" is a separate block (with Home and CR), oddly placed at the top. I'm unsure of the exact date of this, but it looks like Delta Data Systems only made terminals from 1972-1977.

Delta Data Systems.JPG

dorkvader · 18 Apr 2015, 04:57

oh i saw that on ebay but they didn't like my offer :p

it's most likely hall effect, if that helps. I should look up old microswitch boards to get an idea of any other arrow designs

pyrelink · 19 Apr 2015, 02:30

It is Hall Effect. He added some extra pictures to the auction.

XMIT · 19 Apr 2015, 05:01

pyrelink wrote: ↑It is Hall Effect.

Yep, and also, sculpted/profiled spherical key caps. Many Micro Switch Hall Effects I've seen have flat profile key caps.

I swear these are the same mold as Signature Plastics SA.

pyrelink wrote: ↑He added some extra pictures to the auction.

Auction link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111642910150

XMIT · 16 Jul 2015, 17:59

Mine now.

http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/delta ... 11163.html