October 22, 2019
There are many important holidays that we celebrate annually – Women’s Day, World Health Day, Earth Day, to name only a few. They each cover important topics that should be taken seriously, and should be covered year wide.
However, because of the introduction of weird and ridiculous days, it seems like anybody can make up a day. Insert Derek Arnold, a software developer from Iowa who quite literally did just that. On October 22nd, 2000, Caps Lock Day was created in order to celebrate the key itself, and to raise ‘important’ issues about netiquette.
A brief history of the Caps Lock key
The Caps Lock key was introduced during the ‘80s as a replacement for the Shift Lock key. It made its debut in the IBM Model M keyboard, a now-famous device that set keyboard precedents for quality. The key’s purpose remained simple: to change only the letter case (not the numbers).
Do we even need it?
60 years later, and we’re still using Caps Lock, for better or for worse. Despite being a step up from its predecessor, people still find it to be annoying. Here are some common grievances:
Here’s when it’s useful
If you’ve ever been on the subway, you’ll have noticed the all-caps-attention-seeking ads that draw your gaze. Caps are big and bold, and some companies choose to use them for their aesthetic value. They can also EMPHASISE and HIGHLIGHT points when used correctly.
In regards to the Caps Lock key itself, is it really fair to critique a key that does its one job diligently? Does it even matter that much to the general population? All I know is that there’s a day for it, and it’s finally time to make the most of it.
You’re now a Caps Connoisseur. HAPPY CAPS LOCK DAY!