Capacative keyboards. Who developed them?

[Chromedome45]

As topic states who developed the capacitive keyboard we all hate? The Foam type with plastic disk and Mylar or similar thin metallic substance. The one found in the Apple Lisa, Original Compaq portable, Compaq portable II Tandy Model II line, SOL etc. I was under the assumption it was Keytronics but do not know for sure.

 

[ClassicHasClass]

A sadist.

 

[Chromedome45]

Agreed! :D But yes it was Keytronics

 

[krebizfan]

Blame/credit can be assigned to J. Arthur Cencel of Becton Dickinson. In the lab with grime and the like, they were great. Normal use, rather less so.
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Capacitive_keyboard_(patent_3750113)

Key Tronic used a cost reduced variation of this. Still lots better than the membrane and other super cheap keyboard designs.