Keyboard Ergonomics: Only the Split Matters

Ortholinear, eigenvalue, stabilizer, keymap, kernel. Which of these terms describe ergonomic keyboards, and which linear algebra?1 A room full of software engineers can feel like a carnival of letter input technology. Wavy layouts are a dime a dozen. Keys in a perfect grid and spring loaded finger screws for 3-axis tilt adjustment? Yes sir. I remember wandering around the development floor of a previous employer, wondering who had 3D-printed their own casing. Regardless, at the end of the day, I think 90% of ergonomic keyboard tech is misguided or placebo theater. Systematizing minds who purchase these products should direct their attention towards methods of usage and decrease reliance on technological gimmicks. Typing Perfectly StillThe QWERTY layout with alternating spaced keys is a byproduct of 1870s typewriter constraints. Ergonomic keyboard discourse and development treats typing as a static optimization problem built on top of this base. A rectangular grid compacts wrist…