Good in Theory, Bad in Practice - A brief history of Ortholinear Keyboards

Keyboards have been around for a really long time, and just like the infamous QWERTY layout, their design has become outdated. Ortholinear keyboards are one, if not the most popular of the many different alternative designs suggested. But, does it actually hold up to what it claims?

Note, I'm not calling any of the keyboards mentioned in this video bad by any means. in fact, I personally think the value propositions of ortholinear keyboards, in general, are amazing. There are many options with most if not all having everything you could want in a custom keyboard. Hotswap, RGB, programmable/qmk/via enabled pcb, etc.

My personal recommendation (not sponsored or anything), even if I seemed negative towards them in this video, is the BM40. Generally, you can build the kit you see in the video for just around 100 dollars. Metal case, hotswap, RGB +, underglow, VIA enabled, USB type-c, and more.
Pro-tip, the materials for the JJ40 keyboard work interchangeably so you can often use those parts.

Alas, only the carbon fiber plate is still on Amazon, so this is an Amazon associate link :)
https://amzn.to/3ppGpPr

Credits and Sources:
Dvorak World Record
   • 223 WPM Typing on Monkeytype - Dvorak...  

Deskthority (most information):
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Staggering

OLKB Planck/Jack Humbert:
   • What is a Planck Keyboard?  

Typematrix (some info taken using Wayback Machine):
http://www.typematrix.com/

Xah Lee (Keyboards):
http://xahlee.info/kbd/keyboarding.html

That one GeekHack thread:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=...

That one Gamo2 picture:
https://gamerescape.com/2020/02/15/ha...

Studies:
http://www.typematrix.com/documents/T...
(there are a couple other versions of this, findable using Wayback)
One other study that did a test to see how it affected carpal tunnel and RSI, couldn't find.

Other takes:
https://keyboardkings.com/staggered-k...
   • Scientific Comparison of Ortholinear ...  

—-----------------Music Credits—-----------------

Waiting Game, Retro Gamer, Future Idyll
Source: https://www.purple-planet.com

Island, Happy, Good Vibes, Bora Bora
Source:
Music Promoted by Music & Gene at YouTube:
   / @musicgene1993  
https://geniemindcreation.wixsite.com...


Music by MBB |   / mbbofficial  
   / mbbmusic  
  / mbb_music  
Buy Music Licenses at www.mbb-music.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:35 Background
1:14 History of Staggered Keyboards
2:22 History of Ortholinear Keyboards
4:03 Why Ortholinear?
5:48 Problems
6:34 Most common/small sizes
8:28 Intended/correct sizes
9:01 Mods/The Angle Mod
10:28 Closing thoughts + Part 2