The mechanical keyboard was not created for gamers originally, as they were supposed to be the modern writer’s or typist’s keyboards. It might be difficult to believe right now, but the technology powering mechanical keyboards is inspired by classic spring switches that graced typewriters long before the first computer was ever invented.
Even after the computer was invented and keyboards started to replace typewriters, the very first computer keyboards were mechanical. Models such as the IBM 3276, IBM 4704, or the UDS Comtest may not mean much to us today, but these mechanical keyboards from the 70s were both among the first mechanical keyboards, as well as being the first computer keyboards overall. However, the role of gaming in bringing back the mechanical keyboard is tremendous to say the least.
Interesting information about ifun
Extinction of the Classic Mechanical Keyboards
Despite all the history, mechanical keyboards did sink into nonexistence for decades. Barring a few enthusiasts and the odd museum pieces, the rise of the membrane keyboards led to an utter and complete extinction of all mechanical keyboards. Soon after the membrane keyboard was invented and mass marketed, most manufacturers ceased manufacturing spring switches and consequently, the classic mechanical keyboards in their entirety.
People wanted affordability and the loud clicks and clacks of the spring switches were considered intolerable in a household. In contrast, the new membrane keyboards were light, cheap, and almost silent. In fact, the extinction of the classic keyboards was so profound that, even today, none of those old switches are used in mechanical keyboards anymore.
Why Gamers Wanted the Mechanical Keyboards Back
Unlike the average user though, gamers had always preferred higher quality in all their accessories. It’s a preference borne out of need because your own response time would mean very little if your interactive accessories are not fast enough to register them. Some of the many reasons why gamers wanted the mechanical keyboards to come back can be listed as follows:
Interesting information about streameast
- They register reactions faster than any membrane keyboard can.
- The ergonomics of playing on individual switches for each key aids longer, pain-free gaming sessions.
- The tactile feedback is critical in some games where a single wrong press of the button matters.
- The chances of keys ghosting (unintended repetitions of key presses) on a high-quality mechanical keyboard are much lower.
If you are looking for a new keyboard yourself, there’s an ongoing PC gaming accessories sale on Lenovo at: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/d/accessories-and-software/gaming-keyboards/. In case you have never used any mechanical keyboards before, get one with Cherry MX brown switches first. It’s tactile but not as loud as the MX Blues.
The Role of Gaming in Bringing Back Mechanical Keyboards
Despite everything, it must be admitted that the advantages alone were not sufficient to bring back the mechanical keyboard. It was a combination of multiple factors which include but are not limited to:
- Massive technological improvements that changed PC gaming forever.
- The rise of professional eSports and its ever-growing popularity across the world.
- The growth of gaming as a popular hobby, as well as a competitive sport even among casual gamers.
- The reinvention of the mechanical switches.
Last, but not least, diversification of the mechanical switches to make them less loud than buckle spring switches turned out to be a game changing decision. Now we have more switch types than we can count on one hand, which is good news for everyone.
Read also more information
