Christopher Latham Sholes

Introduction to Christopher Latham Sholes

Christopher Latham Sholes was more than just a man with a peculiar name. He was a renowned inventor who revolutionized the way we communicate.

Invention of the QWERTY Keyboard

Sholes was credited to being the mastermind behind the invention of the QWERTY keyboard.

Early Life

Sholes was born on February 14, 1819, in Pennsylvania. He was the son of Orrin Sholes and Catherine (Cook) Sholes.

Growing up, Sholes moved to nearby Danville and worked there as an apprentice to a printer. He had a knack for tinkering with machinery from an early age.

Invention of the Typewriter

Sholes is best known for his invention of the typewriter, a device that forever changed the world of writing. Before Sholes came along, writing was a tedious and time-consuming task. But with his invention, words could be typed onto paper in a fraction of the time it took to write them by hand.

The First Type-Writer

The first typewriter Sholes created, known as the “Type-Writer,” was quite different from the ones we use today. It had a circular design and the keys were arranged in alphabetical order. However, this layout proved to be problematic as the keys often jammed.

Collaboration and Improvement

Undeterred by this setback, Sholes continued to improve his invention. He collaborated with fellow inventors Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule to refine the typewriter. He developed the QWERTY keyboard layout, which is still in use today.

Impact of the QWERTY Keyboard

This layout was designed to prevent jamming by placing frequently used letters farther apart. The typewriter quickly became an essential tool for businesses, offices, and writers all over the world.

Personal Life

Sholes was married to Mary Jane McKinney in 1941. The couple had ten children.

Death and Legacy

Sholes passed away in 1890 at the age of 71.