LK201
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | November 7, 1957 in Maynard, Massachusetts, United States |
| Products | LK201 keyboard |
The LK201 is a detachable keyboard developed by Digital Equipment Corporation and launched in 1982, originally designed for the VT220 ANSI/ASCII terminal. Subsequently, it was adopted for use with microcomputers such as the Rainbow-100, DECmate-II, and Pro-350, as well as Digital’s workstation series including the VAXstation and DECstation.
This keyboard introduced an innovative layout that positioned a cluster of cursor and function keys between the main typing area and the numeric keypad. The cursor keys featured the now-familiar "Inverted T" configuration, which has become standard on contemporary full-sized keyboards. Additionally, it incorporated a Compose key that allowed users to input extended characters through two-stroke mnemonic sequences (for example, generated ), with an LED indicator signaling when compose mode was active.
With an emphasis on ergonomic design, the LK201 showcased a notably slim profile, significantly thinner than its predecessor, the VT100 keyboard. Connection was established via a modular connector that transmitted both power and asynchronous serial data.
Although its layout initially diverged from traditional designs such as the Teletype Model 33 and VT100, the LK201’s configuration strongly influenced the widely acclaimed Model M keyboard, ultimately setting the standard for full-sized keyboards. Modern keyboard layouts primarily differ by reinstating the Escape Key from the VT100 and modifying the numeric keypad from 18 to 17 keys. The Compose key introduced with the VT220 remained part of the European ISO standard but was omitted from the U.S. ANSI standard.
Later keyboards produced by Digital further evolved the LK201’s design. For instance, the Unix-focused LK421 removed the central block of cursor and function keys but added a dedicated Escape Key, catering to Unix users who favored a narrower layout centered on ASCII compatibility, essential for widely used Unix text editors.