KBK update for Wednesday, 26th May

One of the most infamous computer keyboards is the chiclet keyboard supplied with the IBM PCjr in 1984. This keyboard was produced by Advanced Input Devices, now Advanced Input Systems; it appears to be an EKI (ErgoKey International) model. The replacement PCjr keyboard was another Advanced Input Devices keyboard, a virtually identical EKT (ErgoKey Truncated) model, differing only in the use of conventional keycaps instead of miniature keycaps intended for use with overlays.

Advanced Input Devices have produced more keyboards than I realised; looking back at old forum topics, it was a brand that appeared from time to time but never registered in my consciousness. What makes them interesting now is the realisation of just how far back they were producing rubber sheet (elastomer mat) keyboards, something they told me they were first manufacturer of in the States. Further details should be forthcoming from them in time, and hopefully sufficient to verify whether or not they were indeed the first. The oldest elastomer mat advertisements I have are both from 1984: one for Advanced Input Devices (rubber sheet over PCB) and several for Cherry’s Next Generation Keyboard (rubber sheet over membrane).

Details are being added to the Advanced Input Devices page as it comes to light. This should at some point include historic product literature, that they still have in their office. Curiously, all Advanced Input Devices keyboards to date have been found to be dome-over-PCB, with not a single membrane example. Elastomer mat over PCB is of course better known in the guise of BTC’s keyboards.

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