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Rev

2

On some level the extent to which we are still bound by design choices made for what now seem like ancient systems is quite surprising - I guess on reflection that (a) it's not that long ago, it's just that the pace of change in the interim has been astonishing, and (b) if enough design decisions are made, some of them (especially the ones that don't cause people enough problems) are bound to stick around long after the reasons for them disappear into memory. Still an odd feeling to look back at the history of some of these things though.
– Stuart Golodetz
Commented Jun 7, 2014 at 16:15
2

@StuartGolodetz - Actually, I find it strangely reassuring. But then I remember when Teletypes were "advanced technology". (The Teletype ASR-33, by the way, was remarkable for it's elegant simplicity. I only wish that "modern" computer systems were as well-designed.)
– Daniel R Hicks
Commented Jun 7, 2014 at 17:29
1

This is fascinating but what I don't understand is.. why of all things did they decide this typewriter needed a bell?
– CaptainCodeman
Commented Jun 8, 2014 at 0:08
4

@CaptainCodeman - When you transmitted an important message you'd ring the bell to get the attention of the operator on the other end.
– Daniel R Hicks
Commented Jun 8, 2014 at 1:05
2

It is interesting to note that the Ctrl key survives to this day on PC keyboards.
– Daniel R Hicks
Commented Jun 8, 2014 at 11:38

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