I’m a massive computer keyboard nerd and have enjoyed witnessing the growth of the mechanical keyboard market in the past year or two as more companies enter the market with new keyboard designs for PCs or Macs.
Emerson’s background in graphic design was a major driver behind his keyboard, Altar I. It was a bold leap of faith and, on reflection, Emerson says he would caution someone with his background from trying to bootstrap their own hardware company. However, it was while working at an EV startup that he grew interested in industrial design having seen vehicles in the metal. Emerson found the process of seeing a physical design so visceral and emotional compared to looking at pixels on a screen.
With the help of a few friends. Emerson cobbled together a prototype. He created a website with an email signup form and posted it on Hacker News. After returning from a run, he noticed a bunch of frantic messages. The website analytics showed tens of thousands of hits and 15,000 had signed up for the email list. Altar I was viral on Hacker News.
The Altar 1 has three different key heights as Emerson says it was obvious that the different zones of the keyboard should be differentiated with varying reliefs. The function row and modifier keys are raised, while numerals and the cursor cluster have a scooped finish. The main keys are flat—apart from the homing keys—which makes it easier for the user to feel their way around the keyboard, especially mediocre touch typists.
The reception for Altar I has been heartwarming, according to Emerson. That’s especially welcome as the project has been a labor of love despite coming from quite a selfish place because the main impetus behind Altar 1 was Emerson’s wish to make the keyboard for himself.