Why is the Keyboard Layout What It Is and Is There a Better Version?

Why is the Keyboard Layout What It Is and Is There a Better Version?

From The BrainFood Show by Cloud10

June 8, 2026 · 1h 20m

About this episode

This episode explores the origins of the QWERTY keyboard layout, compares it to the Dvorak layout, and discusses the invention of the computer mouse.

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at a quick fact surrounding what Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Genesis had to do with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. After the sponsor spot, we then jump into the main part of the show on how the QWERTY keyboard came to be. We also dig into whether the Dvorak keyboard layout is actually superior to QWERTY or if that’s just something people say. Next up we look at who really invented the mouse and how it languished in obscurity for quite some time before Steve Jobs came along. A few links for this episode: ⁠The Mother of All Demos (1968)⁠ ⁠Remington #2⁠ ⁠Canadian First Mouse⁠ ⁠First Handheld Mouse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Cloud10

Topics covered

  • keyboard layout
  • QWERTY
  • Dvorak
  • computer mouse
  • history of technology
  • Monty Python

Keywords

  • QWERTY
  • Dvorak
  • keyboard history
  • computer mouse
  • Steve Jobs
  • Monty Python

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Remington, Canadian First Mouse, First Handheld Mouse

Books & works: Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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