Separating Myth from Probability in the Origins and Evolution of QWERTY

Neil Kay ()
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Neil Kay: Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde

No 1127, Working Papers from University of Strathclyde Business School, Department of Economics

Abstract: We use basic probability theory and simple replicable electronic search experiments to evaluate some reported 'myths' surrounding the origins and evolution of the QWERTY standard. The resulting evidence is strongly supportive of arguments put forward by Paul David (1985) and W. Brian Arthur (1989) that QWERTY was path dependent with its course of development strongly influenced by specific historical circumstances. The results also include the unexpected finding that QWERTY was as close to an optimal solution to a serious but transient problem as could be expected with the resources at the disposal of its designers in 1873.

Keywords: QWERTY (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23 pages
Date: 2011-06
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Published in Strathclyde Discussion Papers in Economics

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:str:wpaper:1127

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