Excerpt from “The History Behind the Spyder TKL”

Although the keyboard hobby has not had a design history as long as automobiles, the community still has seen a number of designers make their mark on the hobby with boards such as the OTD series and Norbauer Heavy Grail, forever changing how hobbyists interact with their medium. Now, with the current generation of designers, comes the ability to look back in time and integrate the influences of the old with the innovation from the new. For the up and coming designer Plywrks, this has culminated in his most recent design of the Spyder TKL. Initially inspired by the 718 Spyder, a car known for its fusion of classic design elements in conjunction with modern performance features, Plywrks sought to emulate this balance in keyboard design.

Creating parallels between automotive and keyboard design, Plywrks meticulously blended elements from the classic 550 Spyder and the 718 Spyder with contemporary keyboard design aesthetics. The side profile of the Spyder TKL echoes the wedged look of the OTD 360Corsa, also reminiscent of the aerodynamic lines found in the 550 and 718 Spyder while simultaneously incorporating the slightly extruding body seen in the Norbauer Heavy Grail. Plywrks also created subtle nods to Porsche’s heritage throughout the Spyder TKL design. Alongside the subtle LED accent is an understated through-weight etched with “Spyder” on the bottom-side and “718” which serve as direct references to Porsche’s iconic models. According to Plywrks, the “bottom weight represents the internal engine,” emphasizing the importance of both form and function in the design. Even the choice of font for the lettering on the keyboard is reminiscent of the recognizable Porsche typeface. 

As intended by Plywrks, the Spyder TKL effortlessly “marries both the classic and modern features” seen in some of the most influential customs creating a timeless piece that appeals to enthusiasts of both automotive and keyboard design alike. Plywrks also opted to use the Hiney87 layout, which makes the PCB easy to replace.