The QWERTY keyboard is an often-cited example of technological lock-in–when prior use of a technology makes the adoption of subsequent technologies difficult. What is interesting is that technological lock-in can lead to establishing inefficient technology and even economic institutions. The emergence of thumb-typing on smartphones and tablets may be giving rise to a new, more efficient keyboard. Will technological lock-in prevail? When reading Chapter 26 (9e) of my Principles of Economics textbook, students may enjoy listening to the episode of NPR’s Here and Now. A more in-depth discussion of QWERTY including the more efficient, replacement for thumb-typing called KALQ can be found on the Smithsonian blog, Design Decoded.
First Published : June 4, 2013