40 years ago yesterday (21st May), IBM announced the 7531 and 7532 Industrial Computers with their brand-new keyboard design - the Enhanced Keyboard! Whilst technically not the first Model M, it is now the quintessential Model M design. Possibly the most well-known singular keyboard. The pioneer of the ANSI and ISO layouts, the 100% form-factor and enduring standardisation. (Usually) complete with IBM’s delicious membrane buckling spring keyswitches.
For the occasion and as a celebration, I wrote this article as a sort of crash course on the keyboard. Please enjoy!
Note: I wrote this entirely yesterday afternoon and evening for the anniversary, but I was so tired by the time I finished, I did not post it in all the places I wanted to on the day itself. I technically missed the anniversary in my timezone (BST) as well… Do not leave things to the very last minute, people!
