

An early version supported both QWERTY and the alternative Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout. Editions of Mavis Beacon are currently published by Encore Software (hybrid Mac and Windows) and Software MacKiev (macOS only) and are available throughout the retail sales world.

The first version written for MS-DOS was created by Norm Worthington, Walt Bilofsky, and Mike Duffy. Haymond, an independent computer programmer living in Berkeley, California, who later worked for the Department of Homeland Security. The original version was written by Charles R. The typing program was initially released in late 1987 by The Software Toolworks and has been published regularly ever since.
