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submitted 2 days ago by laurel@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

I type on a keyboard with only my two middle fingers. This was likely more efficient for my tiny hands at five years old than methods urged by the typing CD-ROMs we had at that time. However as I grew more proportional to a standard keyboard, this early typing style has persisted. I have no idea where to even begin changing this now as it’s been deeply ingrained by decades of habit. Anybody have experience with changing a muscle memory based habit like this?

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[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 days ago

Our typing class in high school was this teacher spouting nonsense letter combos and us following those dqyvafter day until we had covered home row , upper and lower, then moving onto coping sentences. Reptitiion works. Find your home row dimples on the key board then today is fjf fjf fjf fjf fjf fjf, tomorrow is another

[-] quediuspayu@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Look at these kids with their fancy keyboards with dimples on f and j. Hahahahah

When I started to repair typewriters as a hobby I was mildly surprised to see that they did not have dimples.

[-] undrwater@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I learned on manual typewriters in middle school (late 70's, early 80's). We learned to look for our home row, then pay attention to copy or dictation.

[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago

Hows your backpain? You must be going way back on equipment. Everything I have had from 85 on has had a dimple or raised dash.

[-] quediuspayu@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Now I'm curious about when the dimples were introduced and what was the first device to use them, I just took a look to my collection of typewriters and none of them have dimples.

[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 days ago

Chatgpt says 1950s. But who knows if that is accurate

[-] quediuspayu@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

I don't think so, unless one single brand used them and no one else for the next 40 years.

Electric IBM typewriters from the 90s with keyboards that we would recognise today as a computer keyboard still didn't have dimples.

I asked a friend with a bigger collection of typewriters to let me know if he notices the bumps on any of them.

[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Totally unsure if this is accurate, but chatgpt is 100% confident LOL. Brand/Model Approximate Introduction Year Homing Nubs on F and J Keys IBM Selectric 1961 Yes Royal Quiet Deluxe 1939 Yes Hermes 3000 1958 Yes Olivetti Lettera 22 1950 Yes Underwood Standard 1929 Yes

Couldn't find images showing these. Looks like on computers their is info about it starting in 83

[-] quediuspayu@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

The lettera 22 I can assure you doesn't have the bump because I have one, the same goes for any other Olivetti I have.

The most modern typewriter I can think of is the IBM wheelwriter, in the pictures I can't see any bump but I can't find pictures with high enough resolution to be sure.

[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago)

Same here, I saw one picture of the IBM that looked like it could have bumps, but the pixelation also meant it could just be reflections due to the convex shape. Also if you have old typewriters, its a faux pas not to share pictures LOL

[-] quediuspayu@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago

The full keyboard of an Olivetti Linea90

Here is a detail of the F key

I don't know if the images will load properly, I'm in Spain and the internet connection is still patchy.

[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 12 hours ago

No all good, they look amazing. I think my Grandparents may have had an Olivetti... It looks so familiar.

[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 days ago

I assume once key caps were molded plastic

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this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2025
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