Fun fact: these area codes were assigned so larger population centers would have smaller numbers and therefore fewer “clicks” on a rotary phone. The easiest area code to dial, 212, was given to New York (yes, 111, 112, or 211 are easier but there were some other nuances that prevent that). Remember, 0 was after 9 so x0x area codes were typically assigned to the least-populated areas.
You’ll also notice that all area codes have a 1 or 0 in the middle. At the time, the next 3 numbers never had a 1 or 0 in the middle, so it would be a good way to help distinguish between area and… I think they’re called exchange codes?
Look up “North American Numbering Plan” if you want to nerd out more.
Fun fact: these area codes were assigned so larger population centers would have smaller numbers and therefore fewer “clicks” on a rotary phone. The easiest area code to dial, 212, was given to New York (yes, 111, 112, or 211 are easier but there were some other nuances that prevent that). Remember, 0 was after 9 so x0x area codes were typically assigned to the least-populated areas.
You’ll also notice that all area codes have a 1 or 0 in the middle. At the time, the next 3 numbers never had a 1 or 0 in the middle, so it would be a good way to help distinguish between area and… I think they’re called exchange codes?
Look up “North American Numbering Plan” if you want to nerd out more.
Yes — and the following three digits are called “exchanges”
And it looks like only single-area code states had 0 as their second digit