Qwertyuiopasdfghjklçzxcvbnm is the sequence of letters on contemporary keyboards used in computers and typewriters. This one layout is also known for QWERTY, referring to the first six letters of the keyboard.
Originally, this key layout was created and patented by American inventor Christopher Sholes in 1868. Later, in 1873, the invention was sold to AND. Remington and Sons, a brand of typewriters that applied several changes to the original layout, making it more similar to the model used today.
The purpose of adopting this configuration was to avoid locking the mechanical typewriter keys. Its rudimentary mechanism made the keys representing the closest letters to lock the device. For this, the keys were organized so that the most used letters in the English language could be separated.
The QWERTY model may undergo some modifications according to the default language on which the keyboard is based. Keyboards based on the Portuguese language, for example, usually have the "ç" key, which does not exist on keyboards in other countries.
Other changes in the QWERTY layout are also common in several countries, forming other models, such as AZERTY or QWERTZ keyboards (letter "Y" is replaced by "Z").
Currently, not only most computers feature the QWERTY layout, but also all mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, for example.
Learn more about meaning of QWERTY.