The Ship of Theseus: How many parts do you need to replace for a keyboard to become new?

The author shares their personal experience of transforming the open-source Charybdis ergonomic keyboard project into their own unique design, named Theseus. The process began with minor modifications to the case and electronics but gradually evolved into a complete redesign. The article raises the philosophical question of authorship and device identity: at what point does a modified project cease to be a derivative and become an independent product? The author details the path of iterative changes that led to the creation of a keyboard that is almost entirely different from the original prototype. This case illustrates how enthusiasm for custom peripherals can lead to full-scale engineering development, inspired by the Ship of Theseus paradox. The article will be of interest to DIY electronics enthusiasts, keyboard hobbyists, and anyone involved in modifying existing technical solutions.