What are we about? We’re about taking the typing experience to the next level.
In 2005, in a personal quest to improve his own typing speed and accuracy, Metadot founder and self-proclaimed “Uber Geek” Daniel Guermeur (follow @supercobra) asked to have a totally blank keyboard created. To his surprise, his typing speed doubled after just a few weeks of use.
As many friends and colleagues who tested the keyboard were mesmerized and wanted one, the business potential became obvious, and Das Keyboard was born.
The keyboard was spruced up with precision and individually weighted keys, Birgit Schroeder undertook the mission of bringing it to market a few months later. It was an instant success, especially among techno-elitists searching for the latest and greatest way to differentiate themselves from mere “techie” mortals. It also became popular within the education sector as schools and universities looked for more effective ways to teach typing.
In 2006 an enhanced version of Das Keyboard was released. Still completely blank, the Das Keyboard II featured high-end gold-plated mechanical key switches. Reminiscent of the well-known and loved IBM Model M Keyboard, the Das Keyboard II was more responsive than the first model and generated a distinct “click” with each keystroke, quickly establishing it as “the keyboard that clicks.” Like its predecessor, the Das Keyboard II was a hit among gadget gurus, gizmo elitists and touch-typers who required speed and reliability.
In 2008 the makers of Das Keyboard decided to upgrade the keyboard again. Their goal was to make the best keyboard on the planet. The result: the Das Keyboard Professional with traditional key markings and the Das Keyboard Ultimate with blank keys.
With the introduction of its first keyboard with key inscriptions, the Professional, Das Keyboard expanded its market beyond the Uber Geek segment to include anyone who spends significant time on a computer and wants an enhanced typing experience. Featuring mechanical key switches, n-key rollover functionality, a USB hub, and a longer (6.6-foot) cable, the Das Keyboard Professional and Ultimate offer a new and unique tactile experience that takes keyboarding to a whole new level.
Das Keyboard is now available with or without inscriptions to all who want the nirvana of typing experiences.
“I spend almost eight hours a day typing on a keyboard. It might as
well be the keyboard that gives me the most pleasure.”
- Daniel Guermeur, creator of Das Keyboard and user
of Das Keyboard Ultimate.
History
-
2005
Das Keyboard announces the launch of a completely blank keyboard designed specifically for "über geeks." The keyboard features individually weighted keys.
-
2006
Equipped with mechanical key switches, Das Keyboard II, "the keyboard that clicks," is released.
-
2008
With the release of the Das Keyboard Professional, which features keys with inscriptions, Das Keyboard is not just for geeks anymore. Key markings make this model ideal for anyone who appreciates productivity, comfort and quality and spends a lot of time in front of a computer. The blank Das Keyboard Ultimate is also released. Featuring a sleek new look (with a glossy finish and blue LED lights), mechanical key switches, and two USB ports, the Ultimate and Professional are designed to provide the best typing experience possible.
-
2009
Das Keyboard launches the Model S with upgraded electronics, laser-etched keys and full n-key rollover. The Model S also debuts the Professional Model S Tactile Soft keyboard featuring Cherry MX brown key switches which gives a quieter typing experience for those in environments where the blue switch is too loud.
Later the same year, Das Keyboard launches the first ever Ultimate Typing Championship (UTC). The general UTC online competition ran from November through December 31, and was followed by a semi-final “Round of Six” that happened also online in early January 2010. The final took place in person at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas, during which two individuals, Nate Bowen and Sean Wrona competed head-to-head for the grand prize and UTC crown. Sean Wrona won the title of the first Ultimate Typing Champion.
-
2010
The Ultimate Model S Tactile soft is introduced and joins its Professional Model S sibling by featuring Cherry MX brown key switches. Mac and Linux Key Caps are introduced so users can customize their mechanical keyboard to be Mac or Linux specific by replacing the Windows keys; green and red WASD gaming key caps soon follow for our gaming fans.
-
2012
The Professional Model S for Mac is launched. This keyboard features Mac-specific functions such as media controls, brightness controls, command and alt/option keys, eject and clear keys. The Professional Model S for Mac is available with Cherry MX blue switches and is “plug and play” with your Mac computer. The Professional Model S for PC is updated to also include media controls and is available with Cherry MX blue or brown switches.
-
2013
The Professional Model S Quiet is launched. This keyboard reduces audible feedback to a minimum while providing one of the best tactile experience. The newest member of the Das Keyboard family sports Cherry MX Red key switches combined with a new Quiet Key Design. It requires less force to actuate thereby providing a softer "whisper quiet" typing experience.
Follow Das Keyboard On...
