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Computer keyboard technology notes

The following pages represent my ongoing research and documentation process into the history of computer keyboard technology. All pages are subject to change as new information becomes available. See the updates page for changes. View RSS feed

Keyboard and switch brands

Keyboard and switch manufacturers

Product-specific keyboards

These are keyboards made specifically for a particular piece of hardware by a manufacturer that did not produce keyboards for customers.

Keyboard brands

The following companies are known for keyboards that they badged, but are not known to have manufactured any keyboards or switches of their own, relying entirely on contract manufacturing and off-the-shelf models.

Unconfirmed

Switches from the following companies are said to be “keyboard” switches, but as the term “keyboard” was ambiguous in the past, no assumption is being made that they were used in actual data entry keyboards.

Switches from the following companies appear to be suitable for keyboards but have not been proven to have been used as such. They could for example have been used by hobbyists or small scale manufacture.

Component manufacturers

Semiconductors

Keyboard and switch-specific ICs such as single-chip encoders and Hall sensors

Switch components

PCBs

Keycaps

Equipment

Materials

Other

† See defunct unidentifiable

Keyboard technology

Research

Other