# Shift key debuted on Remington No. 2 typewriter in 1878

2026-08-07T13:48:20+00:00 | Technology | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Hindu traces the origin of the shift key to the Remington No. 2 typewriter from 1878. Before this, typewriters had only uppercase or required two separate keyboards. Pressing the shift key mechanically shifted the type mechanism to type uppercase or special characters instead of lowercase, allowing one keyboard to serve both cases and boosting typing speed. Over time, typewriters added two shift keys and a shift lock, the ancestor of Caps Lock. The design carried over to modern keyboards, though the mechanism is now software-based. The name 'shift' remains from the original mechanical action.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/children/why-is-it-called-the-shift-key/article71253116.ece>

Tags: innovation, keyboard history, QWERTY, shift key, typewriter
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