So long Mr. Sholes, thanks for the memories.

Christopher Latham Sholes invented the QWERTY keyboard. So named for the first six letters at the top left. After trying to work with his new typing machine Mr. Sholes came up with the QWERTY system. The reason - the type bars kept clashing when he typed. The new keyboard system was invented to separate common letter combinations as well as slow down typing to accommodate the clashing problem. Thanks to Christopher Sholes many generations of writers have been better off because of his invention. So ends our history lesson for today. 

My question now is, why are we still using the QWERTY keyboard? Come on Chris, you've had a good run but isn't it time to step down? There must be better, more efficient ways to use a keypad. Why haven't we moved on? 

If you are a Shole-ist who is intent on raising awareness for the "Qwerty Preservation Society", then I apologize. I didn't mean to offend and I don't have anything against Chris Sholes. Honestly, until I started this blog post I thought the inventor's name was Mr. Qwerty. My only motivation is that I am now forced to type a lot in my day and I am tired of the hunt and peck method. Seriously, I am at the point where I need to get some formal typing training or harass the technology makers of this world into making something more convenient. In my head the latter seems much easier (except for all the e-mails I have to type).

There have been so many inventions in the past few years that challenge our way of legacy thinking. Example, when the iphone introduced the concept of being able to  check your voicemails in random order, there was a worldwide collective slap on the forehead. More recently, when Dave Carroll posted "United Breaks Guitars" on youtube he showed us that our distain for a company doesn't have to come in the form of a rant. While smiling his lighthearted song brought a huge conglomerate to it's knees. People all over the world just realized the power of Youtube as a customer complaint department... if used properly. They also realized you can get more done with a smile than a scream. 

The point I am trying to make is that I try not to do things because, "that's the way to do it". If a certain process is the best method so be it, then stick with it. However, even though it takes more energy... innovation is much more fun.  So I ask you. What are you doing because, "That's the way we've always done it?" What legacy thinking do we still participate in as a society? What do you think needs to be innovated? I'd love to hear your feedback and see where I am falling into those legacy traps as well.