Two Thirds Keyboard Inspired by Old Letterpress Type Case
Matthew Docker's custom mechanical keyboard takes its inspiration from the early days of typesetting.
A century ago, before computers and automated printing processes, books and other documents were created using letterpress printing. Also known as relief printing, the process uses movable type composed of individual letters, symbols and punctuation marks, which are set into a chase and then inked with a roller. The press then applies pressure to the type or image, transferring the ink to the paper and creating the desired impression.
Type cases were used to position the printing blocks, and typesetters would utilize majuscule letters from the upper case of type, and minuscule letters from the lower case of type when setting a page. Letters and symbols that were routinely used, such as E and S, would garner a larger compartment within the case, while seldom used letters and symbols were delegated to smaller compartments. Matthew Dockery came up with a unique custom mechanical keyboard based on those type cases.
Dockery's Two Thirds Keyboard was built around a Teensy 2.0 and features a split design, with the left and right sides separated by a gap. The keyboard is also designed with a low profile, allowing easier access to the keys and helps to reduce strain and fatigue on the wrists.
Dockery designed a custom PCB for his project, complete with silkscreened artwork to fit the letterpress layout, which is outfitted with a mounting plate to hold the switches in place. It was at this point Dockery encountered a problem in terms of keycaps. Manufacturers produce caps measured in "units," which are approximately 19mm in width for standard letters. For example, the letter Q is one unit, while a typical spacebar is 6.25 units. That said, there's nothing typical about Dockery's design.
He also experienced an issue with stabilizer sizes, which correspond with the longer or wider keycaps, enabling them to maintain a level typing angle. To overcome those issues, Dockery turned to 3D printing and produced his own caps using an Anycubic Photon, which turned out pretty well. He even implemented Kaihl blue switches and a laser-cut wooden case based on the California-style letterpress layout to complete his build. The result is an interesting keyboard any enthusiast would be proud to have in their collection, albeit with a long learning curve for typing.