Fun Facts About Computer Keyboards

We all use a computer keyboard at some time or another in our lives – some of us more than others. Here are some fun facts to consider as you’re typing away!

600,000 just hit the spacebar at the same time as you. 

According to Vsauce (on this video), when you are typing, 18% of your keyboard hits go to the spacebar. By calculating how many people are typing at any given time, in every 1/10th of a second on Earth, the spacebar is hit 600,000 times. So when you hit the spacebar, you’re doing it at the same time as 600,000 other people. Remember that next time you’re feeling lonely!

Typing with one hand.

Try typing the word Stewardesses. It is one of the longest words you can type on the QWERTY keyboard with your left hand. For your right hand, one of the longest words is Polyphony. Can you think of other words that are typed entirely with one hand? Try Cascade, Water, and Arrested, or Pumpkin, Lollipop, or Minimum… 

Your keyboard is a germ magnet.

Did you know that most keyboards contain more germs than a toilet seat? And shared keyboards in computer labs are even germier! According to the center4research.org, a study done by the University of Arizona showed that computer keyboards have 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat – yuck! This is a good time to remember to wash your hands before and after using a shared computer. 

The word Typewriter.

The word Typewriter is typed using only the top row of the QWERTY keyboard. Legend has it that Christopher Sholes (who invented the QWERTY keyboard in 1868) did this on purpose as part of his demonstration of the keyboard.

About Typing.com
Typing.com prepares students for their future with essential lessons on keyboarding and digital literacy. Students enjoy interactive lessons, engaging videos, typing games, and extensive digital literacy skill building. Teachers, schools, and districts love the extensive teacher controls, custom lessons, and comprehensive student and class reports. Best of all, it’s free!