Here’s a “keyboard” that couldn’t be more apt in this day and age. Words, be it comments or information and whatnot, brashly sent over the internet sometimes could have explosive consequences and hence, it perfectly illustrates how words – the very thing that formed information – could be a weapon.
As such this keyboard fashioned after a hand grenade couldn’t be more appropriate. It’s creator, Reddit user dapperrouge, called it Pineapple keyboard.
Pineapple is a nickname given to Mk 2 grenade for its resemblance to a pineapple because of the shape and the square bumps on the exterior of this now-obsolete anti-personnel fragmentation grenade. And the individual keys – all 25 of them, makes for a perfect representation of the bumps.
Pineapple is a grim reminder of how words can destroy, if not used appropriately, just a weapon like grenade could. The Pineapple is the follow up to dapperrouge’s F-Bomb keyboard, a novelty keyboard that share the same theme.
Anywho, back to the Pineapple…. Of the 25 keys, 24 of them are wrapped around the body in six columns of 4 keys each. Each key has its own mechanical switch.
Meanwhile, the 25th key is a hidden key which, not surprisingly, can only access by pulling the grenade’s safety pin. Once the pin is removed, you are free to trigger the 25th key by depressing the safety handle/lever.
Though unlike an actual grenade, the lever won’t pop off after removing the safety pin; it stays attached to the body.
So, is this keyboard functional? Well, it kind of is. Except that you can’t type character by character like a regular keyboard. It does not have enough keys anyways… Instead, if you hit on any of the key, it types out explosive word “Boom!” and very aptly, “Kaboom!”, if you hit the 25th key.
The 25th key, IMHO, equates to ‘send’ in which words are sent into the digital world and possibly resulting in an undesirable consequence which cannot be undone, and hence “Kaboom!”
Philosophical intent asides, the hardware is powered by an Arduino Pro Micro running on QMK keyboard firmware, and the entire thing fits on a 3D printed frame.
Unfortunately, it is not for sale. You can, however, create your own. dapperrouge has provide files needed to make one, including the STL files for the frame, on GitHub.
Just remember that if you ever made one, never ever bring this when checking into government buildings or taking a flight. Nobody will be responsible for your unnecessary detention or cavity search.
Source: Gizmodo.
