Separating Myth from Probability : The Origins and Evolution of QWERTY
Kay, Neil (2011) Separating Myth from Probability : The Origins and Evolution of QWERTY. Discussion paper. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
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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 A. 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.
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Item type: Monograph(Discussion paper) ID code: 67983 Dates: DateEvent5 November 2011PublishedNotes: Discussion paper. Subjects: Social Sciences > Economic Theory Department: Strathclyde Business School > Economics Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 23 May 2019 09:30 Last modified: 15 Nov 2024 01:23 Related URLs: URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/67983