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Nerds Per Minute: The History of Competitive Typing

Avery Simmons

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In the early 1900s, typewriters were the cutting-edge technology for office workers. And just like any other new technology, there were always those who wanted to push the boundaries of what was possible with it.

Nerds per Minute: A History of Competitive Typing

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One of those people was Frank McGurrin. In 1905, he set the world record for the fastest typing speed, typing 125 words per minute (wpm) on a Remington typewriter. This record stood for over 20 years, until it was finally broken in 1928 by August Dvorak, who typed 140 wpm on a Dvorak typewriter.

In the decades that followed, competitive typing became increasingly popular. In 1934, the first typing world championship was held in New York City. The winner was Stella Pajunas, who typed 150 wpm on a Underwood typewriter.

Over the years, the sport of competitive typing has continued to grow in popularity. Today, there are dozens of typing competitions held around the world each year, and the top typists can earn millions of dollars in prize money.

The Evolution of Competitive Typing

The early days of competitive typing were dominated by men. However, in the 1950s, women began to break into the sport. In 1954, Lillian Gueye became the first woman to win a typing world championship.

The 1970s saw the of electronic typewriters. These typewriters were much faster and more accurate than manual typewriters, and they quickly became the standard equipment for competitive typists.

In the 1980s, computers began to replace typewriters in the workplace. This led to a decline in the popularity of competitive typing, but the sport has continued to survive thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of enthusiasts.

The Modern Era of Competitive Typing

In the 21st century, competitive typing has experienced a resurgence in popularity. This is due in part to the rise of e-sports, which has made competitive typing more accessible to a wider audience.

Today, there are dozens of typing competitions held around the world each year, and the top typists can earn millions of dollars in prize money. The most prestigious typing competition is the Typing World Championship, which is held every two years. The current Typing World Champion is Barbara Blackburn, who typed 170 wpm in the 2019 Typing World Championship.

The Benefits of Competitive Typing

Competitive typing can provide a number of benefits, including:

Improved typing speed and accuracy
Increased hand-eye coordination
Enhanced focus and concentration
Reduced stress and anxiety
Increased self-confidence

If you're interested in trying competitive typing, there are a number of resources available to help you get started. You can find typing tutorials, practice drills, and competitions online. You can also join a typing club or take typing lessons.

Competitive typing is a challenging but rewarding sport. It's a great way to improve your typing skills, relieve stress, and meet new people. If you're interested in giving it a try, I encourage you to check out the resources available online and join a typing club or take typing lessons.

Nerds per Minute: A History of Competitive Typing

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