Laptop mod lets you type in Morse code by slamming the lid shut at the correct rhythm — No parties involved take responsibility for damage to the screen, hinge, or sanity

Morse code used through laptop lid closing to type "SPICY".
Morse code used through laptop lid closing to type "SPICY". (Image credit: Jesse Li on YouTube)

We cover many unique "because I felt like it" projects here at Tom's Hardware, but today in the newsroom, a few classics caught our attention: Morse code and this open-source app for typing it via lid closing by Jesse Li on GitHub, appropriately named Open and Shut. This Linux project, which also has a dedicated Wayland branch, was demonstrated with a Lenovo Thinkpad that may or may not have better durability than your laptop. Be mindful of thin/flimsy bezels/hinges before ever considering this.

In any case, it is a reasonably amusing project, although it's far from the most effective way to communicate using Morse code for those versed in it. That said, if you don't fear for your laptop's durability in any way, this could be an enjoyable project to mess around with, especially for older machines with durable screens and already-worn hinges, like a broken-in console controller from years past.

In the past, we've also covered topics like Morse Code transmitting and receiving on Raspberry Pi and a Pi Zero W mod that converts Telegram messages to blinking-light Morse code. In the modern day, the most realistic use of Morse code is well outside the needs of most consumers. But Morse code is still quite valuable for applications where other electronic methods are unavailable or could fail, including plane/boat communications and plenty of infamous rescue stories throughout history.

... .--. .. -.-. -.-- - YouTube ... .--. .. -.-. -.-- - YouTube
Watch On

All that said, you're less likely to make history with this silly little Linux laptop mod than to amuse yourself for however long you choose to keep it enabled and installed. Though it's open source and can be used for Morse code keyboard input, it could be configured for...even sillier uses. There is a lot of potential here.

In more modern communications news, Wi-Fi over three kilometers was demonstrated with a real-time video call back in January. Windows 11 started adding support for Wi-Fi 7 back in February. All this progress means that most Wi-Fi routers in the world will be a free-for-all on the same few congested wireless channels unless configured properly. Some monsters and nerds out there still employ Morse code, a language with roots in the 1830s.

Christopher Harper
Contributing Writer

Christopher Harper has been a successful freelance tech writer specializing in PC hardware and gaming since 2015, and ghostwrote for various B2B clients in High School before that. Outside of work, Christopher is best known to friends and rivals as an active competitive player in various eSports (particularly fighting games and arena shooters) and a purveyor of music ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Killer Mike to the Sonic Adventure 2 soundtrack.

  • KnightShadey
    Reply
  • rgd1101
    so you can get a new laptop.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    This makes me wonder if there's already a Morse code app that lets you use the touch pad. If you're not going to use a physical key, that would seem like the next best option.
    Reply
  • CmdrShepard
    Anyone who ever typed Morse code using the real key switch knows you need to type from the wrist and that the key must have both short actuation and a bit of resistance before bottoming out. Laptop lid has neither. Utterly pointless.

    Also, for those thinking of typing Morse on a touchpad, a single and simple telegraph key where you typed by pressing down on it from your wrist was outdated back in 90s when I was doing radio amateur stuff.

    Check out those Iambic Paddle keys, they are a joy to type on. They do take some adjustment though since you have separate keys for dots and dashes but using thumb and index for typing is much more ergonomic than the old way.
    Reply
  • Exploding PSU
    Whoa, that's the same laptop like the one I have... Unreal...
    Reply
  • TechyIT223
    CmdrShepard said:
    Check out those Iambic Paddle keys, they are a joy to type on. They do take some adjustment though since you have separate keys for dots and dashes but using thumb and index for typing is much more ergonomic than the old way.
    Cool 😎
    Reply