Why are keyboard rows staggered the way they are now? [duplicate]

The offsets are 1/2 key, 1/4 key and 1/2 key respectively. The reason for this staggering was to allow equal distance between the arms that connect the keys to the type-writing mechanism. From left to right, as one ascends the keyboard, the keys have positions 1, 3, 2, 4.

1. Why the keyboard layout is laid the way it is rather than in sequential way?
2. Why keyboard keys are not aligned?
3. Why is QWERTY that way?
4. Why is the QWERTY keyboard layout still in common use even if there might be better layouts available?

Why the keyboard layout is laid the way it is rather than in sequential way?

The 'computer' keyboard is directly derived from the old typewriter keyboard. As the original typewriters were mechanically slower than a reasonably quick typist the keys were arranged to slow the typist down. Hence the common letters, a, s and e are used by the third and fourth finger of the left hand.

Why keyboard keys are not aligned?

Its generally accepted The QWERTY keyboard was laid out in such a way that keys likely to be pressed in quick succession were on different parts of the keyboard to reduce the likelihood of jamming.

Why is QWERTY that way?

Why is the QWERTY keyboard arranged the way it is? Sholes' early prototype had an issue where the bars used to collide with each other. So he arranged the keys in a pattern where the most commonly used letters were spread apart.

Why is the QWERTY keyboard layout still in common use even if there might be better layouts available?

The answer is that their first few models of typewriters had a glaring design flaw. If two characters were hit in quick succession to each other and they were both on the same internal type bar, it would cause the machine to lock up. Much like pressing all the colors at the same time on a multi-colored pen.