Who’s
the world fastest typer? Michael Shestov can type at up to
200 words-per-minute in 27 languages—error free! Les
Stewart also has a world record for typing the number “one
million.” Not impressed? For roughly 16 and a half years,
Les Stewart typed from the numbers one to one million, using
words. He used seven manual typewriters 1,000 ink ribbons,
and nearly 19,890 pages! Your child in Millersburg
Ohio may not be intent on breaking any world records,
but using typing software can transform him or her from a
typical kid, to a regular speed demon on the keyboard.
Writing balls, QWERTY, and a key
shift
When was the first typewriter built? That was in 1870. It
was called the “Hansen Writing Ball,” It included
a ball dotted with keys. This sphere was positioned over a
sheet of paper on the machine’s body.
Then in 1874, Christopher L. Sholes
and Carlos Glidden constructed the first typewriter with a
keyboard. In addition to letters, a wooden spacebar was added
to the keyboard. Sholes’ and Glidden’s “QWERTY”
keyboard arrangement is still used today in Millersburg Ohio
and elsewhere. The system arranges the letters on the keyboard
based on how frequently certain letters are typed.
Early typists in Berlin
Ohio and other places did not have the typing convenience
that we do today. Until the shift key was added in 1878, only
capital letters could be typed on keyboards. Later, in 1901,
typing machines were first built that included the tab and
backspace keys.
From electronic to electronic
But keep in mind that the first typewriters were manual versions.
The first electric typewriter was manufactured in 1902. However,
efficient electric typewriters were not produced until roughly
1925. IBM ruled the market for several decades in places such
as Millersburg
Ohio. By the early 1990s, they introduced their Wheelwriter,
which represented the dawn of personal computers.
Learning typing the easy way
Maybe my experiences in high school typing class were similar
to yours. Fortunately, we had electric typewriters, instead
of the manual versions. But we also had to deal with those
pieces of correction tape with the messy chalky film. Later,
clear correction tape was available, but typing was still
a hassle. And when your error involved a whole paragraph,
you had to retype a whole sheet.
But there were other inconveniences.
Speaking of paper, if the paper was not loaded properly, your
typing would appear crooked—again requiring you to retype
your work. And if your ribbon ran out of ink, you had no spares,
and the office supply store in Millersburg Ohio or elsewhere
was closed—forget about meeting your deadline the next
day.
Fortunately, learning how to type
is much easier for your kids today. There are no problems
involving correction tape, paper, or ribbons. And instead
of simply typing lines of text from a book, kids can now play
games to improve their typing skills!
Also, with society’s increased
use of computers, typing efficiently has become even more
important. Of course, using the old “hunt and peck”
method works—but barely. Learning techniques, such as
where the “home keys” are, will not only make
your child a faster typer. It will allow him or her to complete
reports faster for school, and later documents for work. And
in a world that continues to become more and more competitive,
typing skills will allow your child to contend well.
Whether you and your child
live in Millersburg Ohio or another place, typing remains
an important skill for him or her to master. While the manual
typewriter has virtually evolved into the personal computer,
the importance of typing has become even greater than ever.
Give your child some keys to success!
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