Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Neil Kay
Author-Name-First: Neil
Author-Name-Last: Kay
Author-Email: n.m.kay@strath.ac.uk
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde
Title: Separating Myth from Probability in the Origins and Evolution of QWERTY
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.
Length: 23 pages
Creation-Date: 2011-06
Revision-Date: 
Publication-Status: Published in Strathclyde Discussion Papers in Economics
File-URL: http://www.strath.ac.uk/media/1newwebsite/departmentsubject/economics/research/researchdiscussionpapers/2011/11-27_Final.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Number: 1127
Classification-JEL: 
Keywords: QWERTY
Handle: RePEc:str:wpaper:1127