Type-O-Matic Keyboard

Jake von Slatt — Thu, 07/03/2008 - 13:25

During a recent book signing in Seattle William Gibson was asked about the Steampunk modding craze. I think it was really cool that he was aware of us! In addition he commented: "My one complaint is, they make these things look all shiny and new...I think they should look...distressed."

Well, Kevin just sent me some pictures of his Steampunk Keyboard and I think he's managed just that!

I love it when someone takes a core idea from one of my projects and re-spins it in their own style like this keyboard. I think a lot of people will be excited by the fact that it was made without a great deal of metalwork as my original was.

And if you've no time to make something like this as a gift for that special someone you can bid on this particular keyboard right now on eBay!

I truely love this keyboard

Threeyees — Fri, 02/13/2009 - 19:06

I truely love this keyboard design as it embodies the look of my favorite period of steampunk which is the early 1900's steampunk. what a great job!!!

How much did it go for?

benbradley — Tue, 09/02/2008 - 22:59

I'm too late to see the auction, it's not even listed in closed auctions. How much did this one sell for?

This is obviously not based on the Model M as as your original was based on. I think I recognize the rounded shape at the top - regardless, it's surely one of those cheap lightweight things I toss aside at the thrift stores looking for yet another venerable Model M. I hope to fund my retirement with these things. And does that one have the PS/2 connector, or is it one of those newfangled USB keyboards? I see more and more of those at the thrift PC debris Steampunk Surplus stores nowadays.

And you really ought to allow strikethrough tags...

I think it went for about

Jake von Slatt — Wed, 09/03/2008 - 09:51

I think it went for about $500, which tells you what a bargain Datamancer's keyboards are!

One other thing...

TJ William — Wed, 07/09/2008 - 12:32

My only change would be to put a little more stress on certain keys... like the space bar, return, shift, "L", "T", etc... you get the picture. I think that would balance the distressed look a little more.

The keys look really nice. Too nice for the worn look of the keyboard itself.

But fantastic job Kevin all the same.

Excellent~

TJ William — Wed, 07/09/2008 - 12:29

I would love to see the write-up on this particular design. Is it available anywhere?

Nice Keys

RadioC1ash — Mon, 07/07/2008 - 15:51

I really like this one. I'd like to do this to one of the old Apple Pro keyboards. I'd be interested to know how he achieved such nice looking keys. Good show!