Why are phone and computer number keys different?

The truth is that the number keys on the computer application on smartphones are completely different from the number keys when making phone calls. Specifically, on the computer application the numbers 7, 8, 9 are arranged at the top, while with the calling application, the numbers 1, 2 and 3 above. Why is there this difference?

The main answer lies in the development history of computers and phones since the 19th century.

Why are phone and computer number keys different? Picture 1
Keyboard when calling (left) and keyboard in computer (right).Photo: The Next Web.

The history of computer keyboard development lasts 30 years

Since the 17th century, there have been mechanical computers, this is the precursor to computers with buttons. It wasn't until the 19th century that the computer had a digital button. In 1884, Dorr Felt invented a computer with a keyboard designed with 9 numbers equivalent to 9 digits (1-9), each number equivalent to one digit of the term, along with 8 numeric columns. equivalent to unit rows.

Example 9, the 4th column on Dorr Felt's keyboard is equivalent to 9 in 9000.

Dorr Felt's keyboard does not have a zero, to represent zero users simply without pressing any buttons.

Why are phone and computer number keys different? Picture 2
Dorr Felt's keyboard on a computer.

By 1902, a new computer keyboard appeared, designed by James Dalton. This is the first keyboard with the appearance of zero and only 2 row keys with a total of 10 digits. Compared to Dorr Felt's computer keyboard, James Dalton's type is easier to use, even it is advertised as capable of calculating and re-checking the value of an invoice in 35 seconds.

Why are phone and computer number keys different? Picture 3
Computer model with keyboard invented by David Sundstrand.

The popular computer keyboard design that appeared in 1914 was introduced by a Swedish inventor, David Sundstrand. With 3 rows, 3 columns and 0 at the bottom, help shorten the travel distance. This keyboard is considered to be the most optimal, allowing users to do calculations with only one hand. So far, this keyboard design is still used on most computers.

Phone keyboards are the result from many scientific studies

The number buttons for phone calls on smartphones are now sourced from the phones themselves. At the beginning of the 19th century, the phone was invented but then all calls had to be made through switchboards and on and off switches to switch calls to be made by operators. hand.

By the 1950s, long-distance phones became popular. Meanwhile, local phone numbers include 7 numbers, area codes include 4 numbers. To make a long distance call, the operator has to dial a total of 11 numbers, which can easily lead to a wrong number dial. And to reduce the wrong click rate, AT&T telecom engineers have devised a new number plate.

Many digital sorting schemes are offered, ranging from the arrangement of circles, triangles and cross-alignments. At the same time, the responsibility of dialing numbers is transferred to the callers thanks to the introduction of automatic switchboards.

Why are phone and computer number keys different? Picture 4
Number plate of the operator in the 1950s. Photo: The Next Web.

In 1960, RL Deininger published a study that suggested that users liked a keyboard opposite of a computer keyboard, that is, the number increased from left to right, top to bottom.

Why are phone and computer number keys different? Picture 5
15 proposed new numeric key arrangement options.Photo: The Next Web.

Finally, AT&T has chosen to design 3 rows, 3 columns and 0 at the bottom. And it has become a popular way of arranging keys in phones until today, unaffected even if the phone keypad has the ability to type characters.

Impact on modern equipment

The design of the computer keyboard is inherited on the next computer keyboard with the 7, 8, 9 numeric keys at the top and the proximity calculation buttons. This design makes it easy for users to perform calculations only with the right hand.

Why are phone and computer number keys different? Picture 6
Most applications of both iOS and Android operating systems have the same number of keys as phones.Photo: The Next Web.

It is possible that the arrangement of the keyboard on modern smartphones inherited from phones with buttons with the design of the top 1, 2, and 3 ranges became familiar from tens of years ago.

In short, the computer and phone number keys arranged today are due to the development of devices in history.

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