ClassX Video Lessons Why are the numbers on calculators and phones opposite? – Big Questions – (Ep. 31)
Hi there! Have you ever wondered why the numbers on phones and calculators are arranged differently? It’s a pretty interesting question, and today we’re going to explore the reasons behind it.
When you look at a phone, you’ll notice that the numbers 1, 2, and 3 are at the top. But on a calculator, the top row starts with 7, 8, and 9. Why is that? Well, it turns out that both phone and calculator keypads have their own unique histories, and they developed separately before anyone thought to make them the same. Let’s dive into how this happened!
Phones have come a long way since the early 1900s when rotary-dial telephones were first invented in the U.S. These phones had a circular dial with numbers from 1 to 9, followed by a zero. Fast forward to the 1960s, and push-button phones became popular. But before these phones hit the market, researchers wanted to find the best way to arrange the numbers to avoid dialing mistakes.
In 1955, a study suggested that people prefer numbers arranged in the order they read them, which is left to right and top to bottom. Companies tested different layouts and found that people liked a design with two horizontal rows of buttons. However, they eventually settled on the layout we use today because it was considered simple and efficient.
Calculators, on the other hand, took a different path. In 1967, Texas Instruments introduced the first handheld calculator prototype. Instead of copying the phone’s layout, they chose to arrange the numbers like older desktop adding machines, with 7, 8, and 9 on the top row. By then, people were used to both systems, and there was no strong reason to change them to match each other.
Even though the layouts are different, it’s not a big problem. In fact, having different designs can be a good thing! It shows how technology can evolve in various ways to meet different needs. Plus, it keeps things interesting and gives us something to talk about!
So, next time you use a phone or a calculator, you’ll know a little bit more about why their keypads look the way they do. If you have any other big questions, feel free to ask!
Take a piece of paper and draw the keypad layout of both a phone and a calculator. Compare the two layouts and write a short paragraph explaining the differences and similarities. Think about why each layout might be designed the way it is.
Create a timeline that shows the evolution of phone and calculator keypads. Include key dates and events, such as the introduction of rotary-dial telephones and the first handheld calculator. Use drawings or images to make your timeline visually appealing.
Imagine you are an inventor in the 1960s tasked with designing a new keypad layout. Create your own design and explain why you think it would be effective. Consider factors like ease of use and efficiency.
Split into two groups. One group will argue why the phone keypad layout is better, and the other will argue for the calculator layout. Use historical facts and logical reasoning to support your arguments. After the debate, discuss what you learned from each other.
In small groups, discuss how technology has evolved over time to meet different needs. Consider other examples of technology that have changed or adapted. Share your thoughts with the class and discuss why diversity in design can be beneficial.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m Craig, and this is Mental Floss on YouTube. Today, I’m going to answer Alyssa Nitta’s big question: “Why are keypads on phones arranged in ascending order while keypads on calculators are arranged differently?”
Alyssa is referring to how phones typically have the 1, 2, and 3 buttons in the top row, while calculators have 7, 8, and 9 in the top row. We can’t know for sure why this is, but we do know that both phone and calculator keypads evolved from earlier versions of each technology. The separate systems became established before engineers had a chance to standardize one keypad. But that’s okay; diversity is good!
To answer this question, I’ll give you a little history of the phone and the calculator. Let’s start with the phone. Rotary-dial telephones were invented in the U.S. during the early 1900s. The holes in the phone were numbered from 1 to 9, with a zero following the nine. By the sixties, push-button phones with the keypad we know today had taken over. Some of those phones were designed in various shapes and colors.
Before push-button phones were officially released, studies were conducted to determine the most efficient keypad arrangement. The goal was to find the best way to arrange numbers to minimize dialing errors. For example, a 1955 article in the Journal of Applied Psychology stated that people tend to arrange numbers and letters in the order in which they normally read.
At that time, companies realized there were many possible combinations for the button arrangement. While testing push-button phones, they couldn’t try all the different arrangements, so they focused on combinations that made logical sense and those that customers would expect. According to a 1960 study conducted by Bell Labs, people preferred a design with two rows of buttons arranged horizontally, as they were able to dial those the fastest with the fewest mistakes. However, companies chose the order we still use today, considering it to be the simplest and most efficient, despite the study.
Later, in 1967, Texas Instruments created its first handheld calculator prototype. Unlike the phone keypad that was already in use, they installed buttons with 7 through 9 in the top row, inspired by desktop adding machines of the past. By this time, the two separate systems were established, and people had become accustomed to them. Companies never saw a reason to switch to a standard keypad pattern.
Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube, which is made with the help of all these wonderful people. If you have a Big Question of your own that you’d like answered, leave it in the comments.
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Keypad – A set of buttons arranged in a block or grid, used to input data into a device like a phone or calculator. – In the 1980s, the introduction of the numeric keypad on phones made dialing numbers much faster.
Layout – The way in which the parts of something are arranged or laid out. – The layout of early computers was quite different from the sleek designs we see today.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about the history of technology helps us understand how inventions have changed our lives.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – The rapid advancement of technology in the 21st century has transformed how we communicate.
Phone – A device used for voice communication over long distances. – The invention of the mobile phone revolutionized how people stay connected.
Calculator – A small electronic device used to perform basic arithmetic operations. – Before calculators, people used slide rules to solve complex math problems.
Design – The process of planning and creating something with a specific function or appearance in mind. – The design of the first personal computer was groundbreaking for its time.
Numbers – Symbols or words used to represent quantities and perform calculations. – The use of numbers in ancient civilizations was crucial for trade and record-keeping.
Evolution – The gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form. – The evolution of the internet has dramatically changed how we access information.
Mistakes – Errors or faults resulting from poor judgment, lack of knowledge, or carelessness. – Learning from past mistakes in technology can lead to better innovations in the future.
