In 1867 Christopher Sholes invented the first popular typewriter, and sold the manufacturing rights to Remington & Sons, New York Gunsmiths. Marketed by Remington in 1876, the typewriter was soon popular: Mark Twain becoming the first author to have a manuscript published which had been typed on the new machine.
As is the case with most new inventions, however, a problem soon developed. Female typists became so adept that their fingers moved faster than the mechanics of the typewriter permitted, causing its keys to jam. What could be done to solve the problem?
Some reverse thinking by experts soon brought the answer. “If the machine can’t keep up – slow down the typist!” They did this by changing the configuration of the typewriter keys – their mode of arrangement. This had the desired effect. From that time onward, the efficiency of the typist was linked to the mechanical speed of the typewriter.
Frequently used keys were rearranged so that they were out of range of the typist’s index and middle fingers, leaving the relatively weaker or less suitable fingers to do the work (the keys had to be struck quite hard with the fingertips). The new key configuration brought the speed of the typist in line with the limitations of the machine.
The result was a sort of regulated efficiency. The ‘QWERTY’ Configuration ensured it! From that time – nearly a century-and-a-half ago – till today, the top-row, left-hand keys of the typewriter have remained in the following order:
Q W E R T Y
QWERTY worked fine until advances in technology enabled the machine to more than match the speed of the typist. Today’s computer keys are “stroked” rather than struck. Electronic letters appear instantly on screen, at a touch. The regulated efficiency of Christopher Sholes’ clattering typewriter of 1876, with its slamming keys and slowed-down mechanics is now a relic of the past. So how come we’re still stuck with The QWERTY Configuration?
The answer may be summed up in just three words: RESISTANCE TO CHANGE. How many typists and computer operators are QWERTYists? Millions! They’ve spent time and money training to be fast and efficient on the QWERTY keyboard. They are confirmed QWERTYists.
Rather than QWERTY regulating efficiency only till such time that modern technology could rearrange it, QWERTY has survived. Typists have learned to live with it. Computer operators are efficient despite it.
Its hard to kill off a QWERTY. Almost impossible, in fact. You see, although QWERTY has stayed put on our keyboards, it has escaped into our thinking, our society, our politics, our religion. QWERTY says: “Whatever else you change, I’m here to stay!”
Most churches have a QWERTY. Some have more than one. Resistance to change may be encountered in the form of entrenched authority (die-hard elders on church boards), denominational dogma (historical truths set in concrete), or the old “We’ve always done it that way and we’re not about to change now!” attitude.
If you think there are no QWERTYists in your church, just try sitting in someone’s favourite seat. There’s a seating configuration in every church – believe it!
Help stamp out QWERTYism! Determine that, with God’s help, you will change the things that others have come to accept – things they say can never be changed. QWERTY mindsets and QWERTY habits need to be changed.
The now-defunct linotype machines that used melting ingots to create lead type for printers, had a distinctly non-QWERTY keyboard. It was user-friendly and efficient. The linotype machine has gone. The QWERTY remains.
It’s possible for us to live a QWERTY-free life, though. The Word of God makes it possible, as we let it renew our minds. Start by asking Jesus to change your heart. You’ll have to let go of some of your favourite ideas and out-dated thinking, but the reconfiguration of your life will make the changes well worthwhile!
*Configuration: the way things are placed in form, figure or shape. The configuration of the planets, for example, is their order in the universe. The configuration of a airplane’s seating shows where its passengers may sit, how many, and in what class (economy, business or first class).