Keyboard key labels

Ever notice that on modern keyboards, the letters on the keys are not in the middle of the key? They are off to the left. This is something that has always kind of annoyed me. I like the way the older keyboards were made, like on the VT100 terminal. Not only did they have real switches and a great feel, but the letters were right there in the middle of the key, where they should be. Not only that, but the labels on these old keyboards actually went all the way through the key - it was made of two different colors of plastic. This way, the letters wouldn't wear off. It's obvious why they changed the key switches - to make the keyboard cheaper. That and some people are weird and don't like the wonderful sounds that the older keyboards made. (I hate quiet keyboards...) But why were the letters moved? Was this cheaper or easier? Or did Apple suddenly do it and then everyone else followed suit? <grin> Does anyone know what computer started using this style of keycap labeling? Just curious. Ian Primus ian_primus(a)yahoo.com