wondering....

[SKIQUATTRO]

why are the numbers on a calculator upside down from the numbers on a phone?

discuss....

 

[gmcunni]

bugs the crap out of me

 

[Edd]

Noticed that a few years ago. I don't know which came on the market first (guessing the calculator) but I wonder if the newcomer wanted to avoid a lawsuit or something.

 

[o3jeff]

Must of wanted it to match a microwaves.

 

[twinplanx]

bugs the crap out of me

+1

 

[ctenidae]

So aggravating.

 

[octopus]

because ma bell said so8)

 

[wa-loaf]

It's never bothered me.

 

[ski stef]

I never noticed!!! Now i wonder as well..

 

[Geoff]

Noticed that a few years ago. I don't know which came on the market first (guessing the calculator) but I wonder if the newcomer wanted to avoid a lawsuit or something.

Calculators have the same layout as mechanical adding machines. John Karlin, an industrial psychologist at Bell Labs, came up with the telephone keypad layout. It turns out people had an easier time memorizing telephone numbers using that layout instead of the adding machine layout. Only at the old monopoly telephone company would anyone have had access to the enormous budget to spend years researching something like that.

 

[Nick]

This drives me crazy particularly as I use my computer to make a lot of phone calls and my layout is opposite.