<aside> ⌨️ This is a very rough and grossly oversimplified overview of the entire lengthy history of everything mechanical keyboards! Truly covering every corner of the development of the hobby and all of its components is close to impossible, so I will try to cover as much ground as I see fit to act as a point of reference for your own journey in/outside of mechanical keyboards. Happy clacking!
</aside>
<aside> 💡 Tip: Click any section in the Wiki Headers underneath this notice, it will take you right to the corresponding section!
</aside>
The custom mechanical keyboard hobby is a niche but growing community of enthusiasts who enjoy building, modifying, and using keyboards that are tailored to their personal preferences and needs. Unlike most mainstream keyboards that use rubber dome or membrane switches, mechanical keyboards use individual switches that provide tactile and audible feedback, as well as a variety of characteristics such as actuation force, travel distance, and switch type. Mechanical keyboards are often praised for their durability (even though this has been brought into question many times), responsiveness, customizability, and just the overall happiness and satisfaction they bring people, whether they be interfacing with their computers during their everyday workflows or just the simple joy of the building and experimentation process (this is hands down the main draw for myself to custom mechanical keyboards, there is simply nothing quite like it).
The history of the custom mechanical keyboard hobby can be traced back to the early days of computing, when keyboards were an integral part of the user interface and experience. Some of the most iconic and influential keyboards in this era were the IBM Model M, which introduced the buckling spring switch and the detachable cable; the Apple Extended Keyboard (AEK), which used Alps switches and had a sleek design; and the Cherry G80-3000, the line that popularized the Cherry MX switches that are most widely adopted and extended by the modern mechanical keyboard hobby of today. These keyboards were designed with functionality and ergonomics in mind, and often had features such as programmable keys, media controls, and macro functions.
However, as computers became more mainstream and affordable, keyboards also became cheaper and more standardized. Many manufacturers switched to using rubber dome or membrane implementations of the keyboard, which were easier and cheaper to produce, but also less durable and, arguably, less satisfying to type on. Mechanical keyboards became less common and more expensive, and were mostly relegated to niche markets such as gaming, industrial, or professional use. The quality and variety of mechanical keyboards also declined, as many models were discontinued or replaced by newer versions. Slowly, the definition of what makes a keyboard *mechanical* becomes, and **is still, a hot point of contention for people within and outside of the hobby.
The custom mechanical keyboard hobby emerged as a response to this trend, as some users sought to revive the old-school feel and aesthetics of mechanical keyboards, or to create their own unique keyboards that suited their personal tastes and needs. The hobby started as a small and underground movement, mostly driven by online forums and communities such as Geekhack, Deskthority, and Reddit's r/MechanicalKeyboards. These platforms allowed users to share their knowledge, experiences, and creations with other like-minded enthusiasts. Some of the early pioneers of the hobby were people who modded existing keyboards by replacing switches, keycaps, cases, plates, PCBs (printed circuit boards), and various other components.
The hobby gradually grew in popularity and diversity over time, as more people became interested in mechanical keyboards and discovered the joy of customizing them. The hobby also benefited from the development of new technologies and tools that enabled more creativity and innovation. For example, 3D printing allowed users to create their own cases or keycaps; CNC machining enabled more precise and complex designs; programmable microcontrollers such as Arduino or Teensy made it possible to create custom firmware and layouts; and online services such as QMK (Quantum Mechanical Keyboard), VIA, and Vial, offered easy ways to configure and customize keyboards on the software end.
Today, the custom mechanical keyboard hobby is a vibrant and diverse community that spans across different regions, cultures, and backgrounds. The hobby encompasses a wide range of activities and interests, such as collecting rare or vintage keyboards; designing or commissioning custom keycaps or artisan keycaps; participating in group buys or crowdfunding campaigns for new keyboard products; joining or hosting keyboard meetups or events; or simply enjoying the typing experience and aesthetics of mechanical keyboards. The hobby also fosters a spirit of collaboration and sharing among its members, who often help each other with advice, feedback, or support.
(The first Longhorn Keebs Meetup, August 2022, Austin TX - Courtesy of Yours Truly)
The custom mechanical keyboard hobby is more than just a hobby; it is a passion and a lifestyle for many people who love keyboards. It is a way of expressing oneself through one's keyboard choices and preferences. It is also a way of connecting with others who share the same enthusiasm and appreciation for keyboards. The hobby is constantly evolving and expanding with new trends, innovations, and challenges. It is admittedly a very exciting time to become or continue being a part of this hobby, as the hobby, in general, is still within its exponential rise in its development phase and, like a child growing up and taking in the world with its whole five senses, it is still trying to figure out its true identity and position in the world.
If you are a keyboard enthusiast and are following through this writeup, these names might have been floating around within your recent memory - Cherry MX, Alps, IBM Buckling Spring, Topre. These are some of the most popular and influential types of mechanical keyboard switches that have been developed over the decades. But how did they come to be? And what are the differences and similarities among them? For this portion of the wiki, I will take you on a brief look at the history of mechanical keyboard switches and explore their characteristics and features, through my limited but hopefully insightful research.