We’ve compiled some mind-blowing facts about Phone numbers, that you did not know, Most of us dial a few numbers to call a person, While we are pressing the numbers, we are usually not interested in the numbers themselves; instead, we, generally are only think about the people we are calling. Have you ever wondered how phone numbers were invented, and how they evolved over time?
1. Inventions of Phone numbers
When phone services were first introduced, the call was dialed to the Phone service company first and then it was requested to the operator sitting at the other end to connect us to the person we wanted to talk to, they would connect various lines on our request for us to get through. Alexander Graham Bell and his friend, Dr. Moses Greeley Parker came up with a new system, as the town was suffering from an epidemic of measles and the doctors suggested that if the town’s operator falls ill, the replacement operators would struggle to continue running the system, Thereafter, the system of names was replaced by numbers dialed directly by the callers themselves, which still in use.
2. First Area Code
The first Area Code was established in New Jersey (201) in 1951. This area code is still used and is an advanced and evolved version of the North American Numbering Plan.
The numbering of Areas was, quite sensibly done, the one having the largest population was given the most simplest dial code. It started with codes for 90 areas.
3. Most expensive Phone number
The most expensive phone number was 666-6666, the golden number was sold in Qatar at a charity event which boasts a whopping $207 Million price tag. The second highest price tag goes to the number 888-8888 which was sold in China for $280,000.
4. Apple’s relation to 888-8888
The legend has it that the second most expensive number was owned by Apple’s Tech Wiz and Co-founder, Steve Wozniak who had a thing or two for repetitive digits.
Later on he gave it up, since there were 100s of prank calls daily on the number.
Did you know: This is the reason they sold Apple I for $666.66
5. Emergency Number
Emergency number differ from country to country, 999 is for UK, 112 for Europe and 911 for US and Canada (previously pronounced ‘nine-eleven’, at times confusing the Americans as they couldn’t find eleven on the rotary phone) was later changed to nine-one-one.
Prior to the one number emergency calls, people used to call the operator to connect them to various emergency services, There are some fire services in the US that can still be reached at F-I-R-E, Which is by dialing 3-4-7-3 on your phone.
6. The 555 Trend
Universal Studios owns (212) 664-7665, which has appeared in The Adjustment Bureau, Definitely Maybe and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. If you call the number, it just rings and rings.
Fight Club uses the 288 area code, which is not yet in use, and Bruce Almighty caused controversy for using a real phone number supposedly belonging to God. After complaints, the original “776-2323” was changed to the more traditional 555-0123 in the DVD release.
7. Numbers Set aside for Frictional Purpose
I once tried to dial a number which one of the movies had, it took the number from one of the scenes and tried dialing it, but they were fictious, I’m sure many of us must’ve done it.
Did you know: there are certain set of numbers and area code kept aside for this purpose
The “Klondike” or “KL” phone exchange was first used to generate fictional phone numbers in American TV and films. This later evolved to the current “555” prefix. In the UK, 01632 is the fictional area code is used for the same purpose.
8. Phone numbers in Music
Phone numbers appear in music/songs too! One of the famous one being Glenn Miller’s Pennsylvania 6-5000 which is still used by the Hotel mentioned in the song. 212 736-5000 (73 replaced by PE)
It annoys all those who have the same number with different code that appear in a song; the number 867-5309 belongs to Tommy Tutone which, Alicia Keys, claimed to be hers claimed to be hers’ in her song Diary, after which many of her fans attempted to give her a call.
9. Personalized Phonewords
As the number spelling “F-I-R-E” is used to call fire brigades, chances are, that your number might have a similar phoneword combination too. To find out what it actually is, you can avail the services of “PhoneSpell”. Along with being interesting they may be useful in making you remember different numbers.
10. Here is a Trick for you guys: Phone number Magic Trick
1. Get a calculator. (You won’t be able to do this one in your head)
2. Key in the first three digits of your phone number (NOT the area code)
3. Multiply by 80
4. Add 1
5. Multiply by 250
6. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number
7. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number again.
8. Subtract 250
9. Divide number by 2
Do you recognize the answer?
source: Mashable