Everyday Origins of Modern Habits

Question 1

Why did the inventor of the 1874 typewriter scramble the alphabet into the QWERTY keyboard layout?

Accepted Answer

To stop metal typebars from jamming

Answer

To help typists type twice as fast

Answer

To match French dictionary order

Answer

To sell expensive typing classes

Question 2

Why did people in ancient times start the habit of shaking right hands when meeting a stranger?

Accepted Answer

To prove neither hand held a weapon

Answer

To compare family signet rings

Answer

To warm cold fingers before dining

Answer

To check palm calluses for hard work