{"id":894,"date":"2014-07-08T15:00:30","date_gmt":"2014-07-08T19:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kishy.dyndns.org\/?p=894"},"modified":"2018-04-13T00:36:48","modified_gmt":"2018-04-13T04:36:48","slug":"ibm-pn-6019284","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kishy.ca\/?p=894","title":{"rendered":"IBM 4704 Keyboards"},"content":{"rendered":"

The IBM 4704 (further details here<\/a>) uses application-specific buckling spring keyboards of relatively unique layouts. This page details the examples that I’ve come across personally.<\/p>\n

Note that although the image above shows a 77-key (for comparative purposes), I do not own a 77-key. That image was sourced from Geekhack.org years ago.<\/p>\n

All 4704 keyboards connect directly to the 4704 terminal base unit using a cable fixed to the keyboard, with a DE connector with 4 populated pins. These keyboards are not readily usable with anything other than a 4704 terminal, however conversion projects exist and have made excellent progress.<\/p>\n

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Part Number 6019284<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>The 62-key keyboard for the IBM 4704 is likely the most in-demand among hobbyists for its layout and size attributes. It is the only known “60%” capacitive buckling spring keyboard originally sourced from IBM, and projects exist to try to build modern clones of it. I obtained it in May 2011 after considerable research and discussion with other enthusiasts. It is solely responsible for prompting my documentation of the 4704 which in turn prompted a tremendous increase in their market value (for better or for worse).<\/p>\n

This keyboard has been nicknamed “Kishsaver” by a subset of the Geekhack IRC community on account of me introducing them to it.<\/p>\n