[PW] Re: A telephone question

[cvj at hcvco.com]

Originally they were for accessing functions like "press *72 for Caller ID
(or whatever)", and the many other features that were introduced (for
extra monies) after touchtone phones came into being.  The two keys also
served fnctions solely for tech purposes, and allowed the service
technicians to check out various line functions.  This would be back in
the days when Ma Bell had service techs who came to ones dwelling to "fix
the phone".  But the original reason was to access both for the customer
and the tech to gain access to features.  Source?  Back before rocks
became dirt I wrote advertising copy for Southwestern Bell, when they were
but a Baby Bell.  Connie

> My great aunt asked me today, in passing, what the # and * keys on
> the telephone were originally "for". I know they are used in
> voicemail systems -- "At the tone, please leave a message for Mr.
> Nothere. Press pound when you are finished." -- but touch-tone phones
> were around before voicemail, so that can't be it. I did a little
> searching online, but searching for technical information on the
> Internet brings to mind a certain saying about needles and haystacks.
> (Although it did tell me when touch-tone phones were introduced, and
> when the first voicemail system was patented.)
>
> Please don't tell me they exist only to round out a 3 by 4 keypad!
>
> (Although from what I've read there are some pretty unlikely things
> connected with telecommunications...)
>
> -John Franklin
> "At the twelfth ring, someone answers. And in that instant, I'm in
> that room."
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> That was a long one, wasn't it? Click, beeeeeeeeeep.
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