Why is it that the numeric keys on calculators and computers start with 1 at the bottom and go up to nine, but on phones they start with 1 at the top and go down?

Gnomon

I can answer half this question. Numbers on a phone have 789 at the bottom so that it will be close to zero. On the old dial phones, the 1 sent one pulse along the line, the 2 sent 2 pulses and so on. The zero couldn't send zero pulses along the line, because the receiver wouldn't then know that anything had been sent, so instead it sent 10 pulses and was positioned beside the 9. This layout was kept when the change was made to push button phones (about 1985 in my part of the world but much earlier in the US). I haven't been able to find out why the numbers have 789 at the top in calculators. Does anybody know? Apr 27 03, 9:02 PM

Baloo55th

You've invented a time machine then? The layout for calculators follows that of the 10 key adding machine - see one here from the 1930s http://www.hpmuseum.org/remrnd.jpg (there were other layouts such as two row, but this is the design that survived). There's probably no reason for the layout being this way up, but having the low numbers at the botton is sort of logical. As this design originated well before keypad phones, it was so well established that office personnel using adding machines would find it easier to work on calculators with the same layout. Phones don't require the same 'touch-type' ability as was needed by operators of adding machines / office calculators, so they could make phone keypads as Gnomon has said without upsetting anyone. Calculator operators (no PCs at work then) had a previous experience - phone operators came from round dialling and this was a complete change. Mar 08 06, 6:40 AM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

What was the start-up cost of purchasing a McDonald's franchise in the 1950's? What did Anna Paquin go down in history as? Why did Priscillian's passing go down in history? Say you wanted to go for a walk and cross as many country borders as possible without crossing any seas, except by bridges. How many borders could you cross, and where would be the best spot to start?

1 "Let's Go Down the Disco!" Here's a quiz about a mixture of all 4 books. Enjoy! Rennison, Louise Tough 10 Q ExLeper Feb 25 04 1035 plays 2 ...Go! Name these movies which have "go", or one of its variations, in the titles. Same Word Titles Average 10 Q Polaris101 Mar 20 04 1251 plays 3 3.15 "Go" The season three finale, first aired November 19, 2007, shows the Botwins beating a hasty retreat out of Majestic. Weeds: Season 3 Average 10 Q Gamemaster1967 Jun 17 08 291 plays