Micro Switch 53RW4-1 keyboard review (MS magnetic reed)

[Chyros]

Today we look at the oldest keyboard in my collection, this magnificent NOS 50-year-old Micro Switch magnetic reed keyboard. This was from a VERY different time in keyboarding xD . Hope you enjoy the video!

[JP!]

Great find, strange not seeing a controller on this keyboard.

[depletedvespene]

Couple comments on the video:

1) The layout, alien as it is to modern eyes, is clearly for a "Data Entry" keyboard. There's plenty of later keyboards with the same layout for the alphas (even IBM Unsavers).

2) I would submit that the first "truly widely adopted keyboard standard" isn't the XT layout, but rather the DEC terminal layout (which also happens the one where the inverted T first showed up). It even has an insane amount of clones from differing companies.

[kelvinhall05]

2) I would submit that the first "truly widely adopted keyboard standard" isn't the XT layout, but rather the DEC terminal layout (which also happens the one where the inverted T first showed up). It even has an insane amount of clones from differing companies.

Agreed, I see faaaaar more DEC layout boards than XT layout. The only XT layout boards I see are IBMs and occasional foam and foil garbage. I see tons of boards with the DEC layout, and tons of actual DEC boards.


Chyros, maybe try 3D printing a case for it?

[JP!]

Chyros, maybe try 3D printing a case for it?

Better yet take some inspiration from OldIsNew with this exquisite old-world craftsmanship.

[depletedvespene]

Chyros, maybe try 3D printing a case for it?

Better yet take some inspiration from OldIsNew with this exquisite old-world craftsmanship.

Marvelous.

[depletedvespene]

Besides making a cool case/stand for this keyboard... do ALL the PCB traces actually backtrace to a key that is present? How many more switches (assuming they can be procured) could be fitted into chyros' drop-in module? There is certainly enough unused space... but could it be filled in?

[gipetto]

it couldn't be filled in without making a custom pcb.

[ddrfraser1]

Chyros, maybe try 3D printing a case for it?

Better yet take some inspiration from OldIsNew with this exquisite old-world craftsmanship.

Better yet, just get some aluminum sheet metal and start cutting!

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[JP!]

I would think bending the metal would be the tricky part unless you happen to have the proper tools.

How about some stone age material more fitting to the vintage of this keyboard?

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[ddrfraser1]

There we go, now we’re getting closer

[snacksthecat]

How about some stone age material more fitting to the vintage of this keyboard?

That first one even looks micro switch-y. Do you know if that's the case? Although the four toggle switches are a bit of a wildcard.

[JP!]

How about some stone age material more fitting to the vintage of this keyboard?

That first one even looks micro switch-y. Do you know if that's the case? Although the four toggle switches are a bit of a wildcard.

Not my photo but this keyboard module comes from a TI Silent 700 terminal so it could either be MicroSwitch OR Hi-Tek High Profile

[Slom]

How about some stone age material more fitting to the vintage of this keyboard?

That first one even looks micro switch-y. Do you know if that's the case? Although the four toggle switches are a bit of a wildcard.

Not my photo but this keyboard module comes from a TI Silent 700 terminal so it could either be MicroSwitch OR Hi-Tek High Profile

There is a keycap missing, top row 3rd from the right.

Doesn't look like Hi-Tek

[JP!]

There is a keycap missing, top row 3rd from the right.

Doesn't look like Hi-Tek

Good eye! Mine unfortunately has Hi-Tek.