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From: Sandy Kyrish <0003209613@mcimail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Which Came First?
Message-ID: <12837@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 30 Sep 90 21:10:00 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 699, Message 3 of 10


Regarding why touch-tone pads put the "1" on the top left while adding
machines put the "7" on the top left ... In 1983, I was doing
historical research and I read that the early Touch-Tone pads WERE
configured like adding machine pads -- but the early electronic
switching systems couldn't handle rapid entry of DTMF, and people
proficient with adding machines could literally "outdo" the switch.
Bell engineers flipped the keypad to slow these people down.  If this
is indeed true, will some loyal TC reader please tell me where I found
that reference?  I've often wanted to quote this vignette but can
never remember just where I read it.

Thanks, 

Sandy Kyrish, MCI Mail 320-9613