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The keyboard on your computer owes a lot to Christopher Sholes and Carlos Glidden. They patented the first practical typewriter on this day in 1868 — which led to many famous brand names such as Smith-Corona, Remington Rand and Underwood. The need for skilled typists allowed many women to first enter the world of professional business. Fifty years ago, about a quarter of all high school students were enrolled in typing classes, becoming intimately familiar with carbon paper and erasers. In preparing for their careers now, a vast majority of students in the nation's public high schools use computers. About 90 percent of classrooms have computers — and more than 80 percent have Internet access.

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