Why are numbers sorted differently on phones and calculators?
- The order of numbers on phones and calculators is a difference that is noticed at a glance, but not usually thought about. While the number 1 is in the upper left on telephone keyboards, the number 7 is in this position on calculators. But what is the reason for this difference? The answer to this question is interesting both from the point of view of technology history and user experience, so we would like to share it with you.
Historical development and user habits
- Calculators and telephones became popular in the late 1960s. Although the first calculators were large, they were slow devices, and the 9-to-0 sequence was preferred for these devices. In this way, large numbers could be easily written. Having the numbers 1, 2, 3 at the top of the phones helped users to dial numbers faster and without mistakes. In particular, telephone operators realized that signal errors could increase if the keys were placed incorrectly.
- The order of numbers on phones and calculators is different due to a number of factors. One theory suggests that the numbers 7, 8 and 9 above allowed for fast data entry, but this speed was problematic for touch phones. Reversing the alignment helped slow down the buildup. Another theory involves Bell Labs research in the 1960s. So the three-by-three matrix with 1, 2, and 3 above was considered the easiest way for people to use.
Contributions from Bell Laboratories
- One of the biggest influences on the design of telephone keyboards was Bell laboratories. In the 1960s, Bell labs did extensive research to improve the user experience and found that the 1, 2, 3 sequencing design was more user-friendly. With the adoption of this design, sequencing became standardized across phones.
IBM (International Business Machines) computers and other effects
- It is known that the numbers 1, 2, 3 were placed above in the order of IBM's old computers. This is thought to have inspired the layout design on the phones' keyboards. The first calculators designed by Swedish-American David Sundstrand (1880 – 1930), inventor of innovations such as 10-key typewriters, 10-key calculator, and 10-key keyboard, were designed with 1, 2, 3 on the bottom and patented #119487. It is said that later calculators were also based on this design.
This difference between phones and calculators has emerged as a result of user needs, technological innovation, and historical design preferences. Even today, these two distinct designs are used to provide the best user experience in their respective fields.
