Events at The University of Manchester
  • University home
  • Events
  • Home
  • Exhibitions
  • Conferences
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Performances
  • Events for prospective students
  • Family events
  • All Events

Lock-in, path dependence and the internationalization of QWERTY

image
Dates:26 October 2015
Times:13:00 - 14:00
What is it:Seminar
Organiser:Manchester Institute of Innovation Research
Venue opening hours:1-2pm (coffee from 12.30pm)
How much:Free
Who is it for:University staff, Adults, Alumni, Current University students, General public
Speaker:Neil Kay
See travel and contact information
Add to your calendar

More information

  • Mnachester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR)

Other events

  • In category "Seminar"
  • In group "(AMBS) MIoIR seminars and workshops"
  • In group "(AMBS) MIoIR seminars and workshops"
  • By Manchester Institute of Innovation Research

We look at the adoption of QWERTY in Europe and find that each national variant represented a highly efficient adaptation to its specific environment and linguistic characteristics. It helps explain why QWERTY became QWERTZ in Germany, AZERTY in France and QZERTY in Italy. These findings are set in the context of QWERTY’s frequently cited role as paradigm case for path dependence. It provides further evidence that QWERTY was not an accident of history as commonly claimed (e.g. David), but was instead the product of rational design that would have been difficult to better with the tools available to its inventor at the time.

Directions:

Due to preparation work for the MBS redevelopment project, access to the Harold Hankins building is no longer possible via the University Precinct Centre. Please use the main entrance of MBS West (Building Number 29 on the Campus Map) and take the lifts to the left of the main reception desk to the 6th floor. Turn left (‘access to Harold Hankins’ is signed) and go through the door at the end of the corridor and left through a second door into the stairwell. Go down a half flight of stairs following the sign ‘access to Harold Hankins’ and through the door into the Harold Hankins building and along the corridor until you get to the main stairwell/lift lobby. Take the lift to the tenth floor then turn right out of the lift.

Alternatively, if you are a member of the University you can email john.ashton-2@manchester.ac.uk for access to Harold Hankins building from the door on Booth Street West.

Price: Free

Speaker

Neil Kay

Role: Professor

Organisation: Edinburgh Business School

Travel and Contact Information

Find event

10.05
Harold Hankins Building
Oxford Road
Manchester

Contact event

Siobhan Drugan

0161 275 0451

siobhan.drugan@manchester.ac.uk

Share / follow event

Contact us

  • +44 (0) 161 306 6000

Find us

The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK

Connect with the University

  • Facebook page for The University of Manchester
  • Twitter page for The University of Manchester
  • YouTube page for The University of Manchester
  • Google+ page for The University of Manchester
  • Pinterest page for The University of Manchester

  • Privacy /
  • Copyright notice /
  • Accessibility /
  • Freedom of information /
  • Charitable status /
  • Royal Charter Number: RC000797
  • Close menu
  • Home
    • Featured events
    • Today's events
    • The Whitworth events
    • Manchester Museum events
    • Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre events
    • Martin Harris Centre events
    • The John Rylands Library events
    • Exhibitions
    • Conferences
    • Lectures and seminars
    • Performances
    • Events for prospective students
    • Family events
    • All events