SNKB-F1986-XTB-83
| Full Name | IBM 5291/5292 Display Station Keyboard Unit |
| Part NumberPart Number The number used to describe this keyboard's specific release; usually specific for a target region, language or SKU, etc. |
4176191 |
| TypeType A designation from my own type naming scheme used to categorise this keyboard with or from others by their common features and market intent but may/may not be derived from official names. |
Model F 5291/5292 Terminal Keyboard |
| NicknameNickname A [keyboard enthusiast] community given name for this keyboard. It can be a shortening of its name and properties, a more abstract term, a real-life reference, or metonymy. |
Bigfoot |
| Known Host SystemsKnown Host Systems A list of known host systems this keyboard could be bundled with or at least designed specifically to operate with. This could be terminals, desktop PCs or laptops. |
IBM 5291 Model 2 Display Station (IBM 5250 family) IBM 5292 Color Display Station (IBM 5250 family) |
| Key-switchesKey-switches The name of the known switching mechanism that lies under this keyboard's keys. |
IBM capacitive buckling springs |
| Original KeycapsOriginal Keycaps The keyboard's original keycaps' material and text/symbol printing technique. |
PBT with dye-sublimated legends |
| FeetFeet The style of this keyboard's flip-out or extendable feet. If applicable, this may also state how many levels of height adjustment are available and whether the feet could be rubberised. |
Triple-setting riser feet |
| ProtocolProtocol The protocol(s) this keyboard can use to speak to the host computer (eg, scancode sets). |
IBM 5291/5292-specific host-drives-capsense |
| ConnectionConnection The keyboard-to-host connection. This is could be a description of a cable (its colour, whether its coiled, whether its detachable, and what connector is at its end) or the name of a wireless technology. |
Grey straightened-style fixed DA-15 cable |
| Production Date | 1986-02-26 |
| Acquisition Date | 2019-11-27 |
About this keyboard type
The IBM 5291 Display Station (Models 1 and 2) was an IBM 5250-compatible terminal first released in January 1982 that was designed to be a low-cost replacement for the IBM 5251 Display Station Models 1 and 11 from the late 1970s. Model 1 and 2 differed on the monitor and lower-unit arrangement. The IBM 5292 Color Display Station is a variant of 5291 that adds 7-colour support to the display. The IBM 529X Keyboard was the earliest discrete terminal Model F keyboard in production, resembling the IBM 5324 Floortop Keyboard and using the same internal keyboard assembly as Type I Model F/XTs. Its physical and functional layouts are derived directly from the 525X-83 type Model B keyboard. The 529X is noted for its combined F1 to F24 row across its number keys originally used for inserting, deleting and moving data and controlling cursor position, and its "Cmd" (command) key used to access [host-stored] programmable command functions. A notch is present on the left side of the protrusion above the keyboard assembly to help old templates used for writing function names onto. The 529X Keyboard lacked a controller that could generate scancodes, making the keyboard essentially 'brainless' on its own. Compared to its stylistically similar 5324 counterparts, the 529X Keyboard is slightly smaller. But the 529X Keyboard famously features three-setting riser feet that is presently the largest known IBM keyboard feet, which coupled with its bezel size earns this keyboard the nickname "bigfoot" in the modern keyboard community. The original IBM 5291 Model 1 version of the keyboard connected internally to the terminal via a 14-pin IDC connector, whereas the 5291 Model 2 (and presumed 5292) versions used the more familiar external DA-15 connector.
