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In original Morse code, S was "dot dot dot", E was "dot", and Z was "dot dot dot space dot". So if you were transcribing Morse code back then, it was ambiguous
by kens 2y ago
In original Morse code, S was "dot dot dot", E was "dot", and Z was "dot dot dot space dot". So if you were transcribing Morse code back then, it was ambiguous if you received a "Z" or "SE". To handle this, the "S" key was moved from the right side to a position between "Z" and "E" so you could quickly type either "Z" or "SE" once you figured out what was sent. Modern (i.e. 1865) Morse code changed "Z" to "dash dash dot dot", eliminating the ambiguity.
- weinzierl 2y agoYes, but how does it help to have the ambiguous characters close. I could understand if they had left out Z completely similar to early typewriters having no 0 but using the O character instead. The ambiguous Z would always be written as SE. If they wanted to resolve the ambiguity it makes sense to move SE and Z further apart so the operator does not easily make a typing mistake in addition to the recognition mistake easily.
- jrootabega 2y agoThey had to wait for additional characters to make a good guess as to whether it was Z or SE. So they thought that having your fingers already positioned close to both outcomes would allow you to handle that delay better. Maybe it allowed you to catch back up faster, or made it easier to handle both of those threads in your brain and nerves? Perhaps whatever letters came after Z/SE were unlikely to also be Z/SE, so it made it more likely your right hand would be typing the next character?