DEC Keyboards
DEC Keyboards
In the 1960s, the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) experienced a significant growth period in the development of successful microcomputers, particularly in the PDP line such as the popular PDP-8, known for its affordability and compact nature. In the following decade, it began incorporating terminals into its systems, which gave users the opportunity to interact with its computers more directly. This was accompanied by the introduction of the VT series, boasting keyboards that cemented DEC’s legacy in the human-computer interaction field.
VT05 Keyboard
The VT05 featured a relatively simple keyboard with alphanumeric keys for text entry. It had a limited set of keys compared to later models. As one of DEC's early graphics terminals, the VT05 was primarily designed for the display of graphics rather than extensive text manipulation.
VT52 Keyboard
The VT52 keyboard was an improvement over the VT05, offering more keys and a refined layout. It included function keys and additional control keys for enhanced user interaction. It supported both graphics and text display, making it a versatile terminal for various applications.
VT100 (1978)
The VT100 keyboard was a significant advancement, featuring a more comprehensive layout with function keys (PF1-PF4) and control keys. It introduced the concept of an enhanced keyboard for terminal interaction. The VT100 became a widely used video terminal with robust text and graphics capabilities. Its keyboard layout set a standard for future DEC terminals.
LK201 and LK201aa (1982)
The LK201 keyboard was designed for use with DEC's VAX series and other systems. It featured a distinctive layout with an array of programmable function keys (PF1-PF20), a numeric keypad, and additional control keys. The LK201 was known for its programmability, allowing users to customize the function keys for specific tasks. It provided a rich set of features for efficient terminal interaction. The LK201AA (1982) uses beige keycaps instead of gray keycaps on modifier keys.
VT220 (1983)
The VT220 featured an enhanced keyboard layout with additional function keys and control keys compared to the VT100. It included 20 function keys (F1-F20) and various control keys for extended functionality. The VT220 maintained compatibility with earlier VT terminals while introducing improvements in display technology and keyboard design.