Quoting Post Archived Topic: It will not be bumped to the top of the forum. Topic did anyone ever wonder Membername   Not a member? Sign Up Free (takes 20 seconds) Password   Forgotten your password? Post Font: Verdana Arial Black Georgia Comic Sans Impact   Size: Tiny Normal Big Huge   Color: Default Dark Red Red Orange Brown Green Olive Cyan Blue Dark Blue Indigo Black [ Check Spelling ] [ Post Preview ] [ LiveTags ] Quote: from [m]ZenaGirl[/m] at 5:59 pm on July 6, 2009[quote]9 was chose as the first digit because no phone number begins with a "9"- or at least didn't at the time because it would confuse office PBX phone systems where "9" is use to access an outside line.  The other two digits were "1" because with the rotary phones in use then- they were the quickest to dial.[/quote] FAQ Keyword Search: Post Options Favorites Manager Notify me of new replies to this topic by email Notify me of new replies to this topic by private message Original Post Emilybird Posted at 5:53 pm on July 6, 2009 why they made 911 the national emergency number? did someone just say "hey that sounds catchy!"   was there ever a reason for that combination?

Replies ZenaGirl Posted at 5:59 pm on July 6, 2009 9 was chose as the first digit because no phone number begins with a "9"- or at least didn't at the time because it would confuse office PBX phone systems where "9" is use to access an outside line.  The other two digits were "1" because with the rotary phones in use then- they were the quickest to dial. Catzcore Posted at 5:55 pm on July 6, 2009 i dunno, i assumed when i was little it's because us brits stole 999 Dustin Posted at 5:54 pm on July 6, 2009 I believe it was made so that it would not be easy for someone to accidentally push it. All 3 previous replies displayed.