Maltron keyboard

Categories: Computer stubs | Section stubs | Computer keyboards

The Maltron keyboard is an ergonomically designed computer keyboard that was invented by Stephen Hobday and Lilian Malt in the 1970s. It is designed to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries. Maltron keyboards are electrically compatible with IBM PC keyboards and Apple Macintosh keyboards, using either USB or PS/2 connectors.

The changes in computer keyboard design invented by Lilian Malt incorporate two things:

  • a curved surface (as opposed to the normal flat surface) for the keyboard, aimed at reducing finger travel by 90%
  • a Maltron keyboard layout, which Malt designed based upon her analysis of the neuromuscular system
Image:Gnome-system.png This computer-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Contents

[edit]

Models

There are several models of Maltron keyboard.

[edit]

3D

Image:Maltron-ergonomic-keyboard1.jpg
Maltron 3D keyboard (QWERTY layout)

The Maltron 3D keyboard keyboard is curved, with separate recesses for each hand. It is divided into five major blocks of keys:

  • 2 blocks for the fingers of each hand
  • 2 blocks for the thumbs of each hand
  • 1 central block
[edit]

Single-handed

Image:Maltron-lefthand-keyboard1.jpg
Maltron left-handed Single-handed keyboard
Image:Maltron-righthand-keyboard1.jpg
Maltron right-handed Single-handed keyboard

The Maltron Single-handed keyboard is curved, with a single recess. It comes in left-handed and right-handed versions and is divided into four major blocks of keys:

  • 1 block for the fingers
  • 1 block for the thumb
  • 1 flat panel of keys to the side
  • 1 row of function keys along the top

The keyboard has "push-on push-off" functions for the shift, control, and alt keys. The blocks for the fingers and thumb are mirror images of one another in the left-handed and right-handed versions (whereas the flat block and function key row are identical in both).

[edit]

Single-finger

Image:Maltron-mouthstick-keyboard1.jpg
Maltron Single-finger keyboard

The Maltron Single-finger keyboard comprises a simple curved rectangle of keys. Like the single-handed keyboard it has "push-on push-off" functions for the shift, control, and alt keys.

[edit]

Executive

Image:Maltron-flat2-front6l.jpg
Maltron Executive keyboard (Maltron layout)

The Maltron Executive keyboard is flat, and was designed by Maltron to be a halfway house between a conventional flat keyboard and a 3D keyboard. It comprises six major blocks of keys:

  • 2 blocks for the fingers of each hand
  • 2 blocks for the thumbs of each hand
  • 1 central numeric keypad (in the conventional IBM PC keyboard layout)
  • 1 row of function keys along the top
[edit]

Layouts

Image:Wiki letter w.pngThis section is a stub. You can help by adding to it.

Maltron 3D and Executive keyboards are produced with three different layouts:

In the Maltron layout, the home row of keys are "ANISF" for the left hand and "DTHOR" for the right hand.

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]

External links