Lock-in, path dependence and the internationalization of QWERTY
| Dates: | 26 October 2015 |
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| Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Manchester Institute of Innovation Research |
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| Venue opening hours: | 1-2pm (coffee from 12.30pm) |
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| How much: | Free |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Adults, Alumni, Current University students, General public |
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| Speaker: | Neil Kay |
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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.
Speaker
Neil Kay
Role: Professor
Organisation: Edinburgh Business School
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
10.05
Harold Hankins Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
