Trivia on Area Codes
June 13th, 2014 at 7:31:39 AM
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The tables below show the original area codes in 1947.
The blocks with asterisks were filled in by 1959.
The blocks with INT were filled in the interim years from 1960 until the breakup.
The ones labelled BRK were used after the breakup of Bell Telephone.
The X10 area codes were not originally used, and all but one was initiated after the breakup of Bell Telephone in 1984. Obviously the X11 was reserved for codes (like 911 and 411). When Bell Telephone broke up there were only 12 unused area codes (but extending to X10 provided a few more for a few years).
TRIVIA QUESTIONS
1) The four simplest area codes to dial with a rotary phone were 212, 213, 312, and 313. Who got these area codes?
2) What was the significance of middle digit 0 or middle digit 1 when they were introduced?
3) What is different about the bolded area codes?
4) After Bell Telephone broke up two new area codes were issued that caused massive controversy (718 and 818). Why?
5) After the breakup of Bell the 12 remaining codes were used. The X10 provided another eight (710 was used for a now aborted plan for the federal government).
In 1992 area code 917 involved something new. What was it?
The blocks with asterisks were filled in by 1959.
The blocks with INT were filled in the interim years from 1960 until the breakup.
The ones labelled BRK were used after the breakup of Bell Telephone.
| 200 | 201 | 202 | 203 | 204 | 205 | 206 | 207 | 208 | *** |
| 300 | 301 | 302 | 303 | 304 | 305 | 306 | 307 | *** | *** |
| 400 | 401 | 402 | 403 | 404 | 405 | 406 | BRK | *** | INT |
| 500 | 501 | 502 | 503 | 504 | 505 | *** | *** | BRK | *** |
| 600 | 601 | 602 | 603 | 604 | 605 | *** | *** | *** | *** |
| 700 | 701 | 702 | 703 | 704 | *** | BRK | *** | BRK | INT |
| 800 | 801 | 802 | 803 | INT | *** | *** | INT | *** | *** |
| 900 | 901 | 902 | BRK | INT | BRK | INT | *** | BRK | BRK |
| 210 | 211 | 212 | 213 | 214 | 215 | 216 | 217 | 218 | *** |
| 310 | 311 | 312 | 313 | 314 | 315 | 316 | 317 | *** | 319 |
| 410 | 411 | 412 | 413 | 414 | 415 | 416 | *** | 418 | 419 |
| 510 | 511 | 512 | 513 | 514 | 515 | *** | 517 | 518 | *** |
| 610 | 611 | 612 | 613 | 614 | *** | 616 | 617 | 618 | INT |
| 710 | 711 | 712 | 713 | *** | 715 | 716 | 717 | BRK | BRK |
| 810 | 811 | 812 | *** | 814 | 815 | 816 | *** | BRK | *** |
| 910 | 911 | *** | 913 | 914 | 915 | 916 | BRK | *** | *** |
The X10 area codes were not originally used, and all but one was initiated after the breakup of Bell Telephone in 1984. Obviously the X11 was reserved for codes (like 911 and 411). When Bell Telephone broke up there were only 12 unused area codes (but extending to X10 provided a few more for a few years).
TRIVIA QUESTIONS
1) The four simplest area codes to dial with a rotary phone were 212, 213, 312, and 313. Who got these area codes?
2) What was the significance of middle digit 0 or middle digit 1 when they were introduced?
3) What is different about the bolded area codes?
4) After Bell Telephone broke up two new area codes were issued that caused massive controversy (718 and 818). Why?
5) After the breakup of Bell the 12 remaining codes were used. The X10 provided another eight (710 was used for a now aborted plan for the federal government).
In 1992 area code 917 involved something new. What was it?
June 13th, 2014 at 8:13:46 AM
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1 - New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit. As the four largest cities, they were assigned the quickest area codes to dial by rotary. (Add the three digits, count a 0 as 10. Five is the quickest that could be dialed under the original plan.)
2 - A zero indicated that the area code covered an entire state, and I think province. A one was partial.
5 - The 917 area code was supposed to be exclusively for mobile/pagers. Yay that I have one!
I love NANP stuff.
June 13th, 2014 at 8:18:45 AM
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And duh, writing NANP triggered number 3 -
3 - Those are Canadian area codes. It is the North American Numbering Plan, after all...
June 13th, 2014 at 8:24:09 AM
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Quote: AcesAnd8sI love NANP stuff.
Question #4 refers to something that they had not been required to do until then.
Question #5 was a good answer, but it could be more complete. It invented a new irritation. What was that?
June 13th, 2014 at 8:30:31 AM
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I can take a WAG on 4
Since 718 is Brooklyn & Queens NY and 818 is part of LA and you mentioned after the break up, I'd guess they are the first splits. I don't think they did overlays then.
June 13th, 2014 at 8:55:33 AM
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Probably horrible guesses.
1) new york city, la, Chicago, um Detroit?
2) 1 was never used for the only area code in the state?
3) their area code is an island shape?
4) 2nd area codes for NYC and la?
5) maps over old area code?
1) new york city, la, Chicago, um Detroit?
2) 1 was never used for the only area code in the state?
3) their area code is an island shape?
4) 2nd area codes for NYC and la?
5) maps over old area code?
June 14th, 2014 at 1:47:17 AM
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Quote: tringlomaneProbably horrible guesses.
No to #3, but good guesses on the other ones.
September 6th, 2021 at 10:31:23 PM
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September 6th, 2021 at 11:15:01 PM
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My county got an overlay area code, so I have to dial 10-11 digits for anyplace within town. The new area code has nothing at all to do with the above charts. With a smartphone, that can dial 10-11 digits for me the 2nd time.
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https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/whatever-happened-to-the-680-area-code-your-stories/
Jan 30, 2020 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Thursday afternoon, a man named Tom called NewsChannel 9 with a simple question: What happened to the 680 area code?
If you recall, that area code was assigned as a second area code for Central New York. Nearly three years ago, state officials asked for the second area code after predictions that 315 would run out.
According to North American Numbering Plan Administrator, the area code 315 has no unused central office codes left.
Central office codes, also known as exchanges, are the fourth, fifth and sixth digits of a ten-digit telephone number.
By comparison, area code 680 has more than 700 unused codes available, the equivalent of more than seven-million phone numbers, according to NANPA.
Theres no one entity that keeps track of how many numbers there are. Numbers are assigned by the thousands to phone providers.
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https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/whatever-happened-to-the-680-area-code-your-stories/
Jan 30, 2020 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Thursday afternoon, a man named Tom called NewsChannel 9 with a simple question: What happened to the 680 area code?
If you recall, that area code was assigned as a second area code for Central New York. Nearly three years ago, state officials asked for the second area code after predictions that 315 would run out.
According to North American Numbering Plan Administrator, the area code 315 has no unused central office codes left.
Central office codes, also known as exchanges, are the fourth, fifth and sixth digits of a ten-digit telephone number.
By comparison, area code 680 has more than 700 unused codes available, the equivalent of more than seven-million phone numbers, according to NANPA.
Theres no one entity that keeps track of how many numbers there are. Numbers are assigned by the thousands to phone providers.
Last edited by: ChumpChange on Sep 6, 2021
September 7th, 2021 at 12:58:01 AM
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As far as 718 goes, it was the first time NYC was split up and companies that were in the other Boros didn't want to lose the prestigious 212 area code. It also meant that companies in the new 718 had to change their advertising, their business cards, repaint trucks and vans, etc, etc.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
September 7th, 2021 at 1:14:19 AM
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Area codes 718, 347, and 929 - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_codes_718,_347,_and_929
For the first 37 years after the establishment of the North American Numbering Plan in 1947, all of New York City was a single numbering plan area (NPA), area code 212.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_codes_718,_347,_and_929
For the first 37 years after the establishment of the North American Numbering Plan in 1947, all of New York City was a single numbering plan area (NPA), area code 212.
September 7th, 2021 at 8:18:33 AM
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One of the San Francisco area splits caused me an additional inconvenience.
(my phone rings)
"Hello?"
"Who is this?"
"By any chance, are you trying to call Hayward, CA?"
"Yes"
"Dial 1 first!"
Before I moved, my phone number was 415-925-xxxx. In the 1990s, the 925 area code was split off from 510 to handle the eastern part of the Bay Area between Oakland and San Jose. At about the same time, my area changed to require 1 in front of all numbers that included area codes, so somebody trying to call 925-892-1xxx (somewhere in Hayward) from the 415 area code without adding the 1 first got me instead.
admin edit: number sanitization
(my phone rings)
"Hello?"
"Who is this?"
"By any chance, are you trying to call Hayward, CA?"
"Yes"
"Dial 1 first!"
Before I moved, my phone number was 415-925-xxxx. In the 1990s, the 925 area code was split off from 510 to handle the eastern part of the Bay Area between Oakland and San Jose. At about the same time, my area changed to require 1 in front of all numbers that included area codes, so somebody trying to call 925-892-1xxx (somewhere in Hayward) from the 415 area code without adding the 1 first got me instead.
admin edit: number sanitization
Last edited by: unnamed administrator on Sep 7, 2021
September 7th, 2021 at 8:40:12 AM
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Quote: ThatDonGuy
"Dial 1 first!"
I worked at a place where we were giving our 800 number and the woman training us kept telling me to say "1-XX" which I just never gave because it was so obvious. I wanted to give her the example of Rush Limbaugh to his call screener.
Being radio is a one-sided conversation.
"No, I am not going to tell them to dial '1' first."
"What do you mean I should?"
"Because if they do not know to dial '1' before the number they are too stupid to be on the air!"
My thought was if they did not know to dial '1' first they were too stupid to get a car loan.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
September 7th, 2021 at 8:50:27 AM
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Someone should start one on zip codes? Were they ever split off? Maybe so, but so long ago that none of us was around?
It's interesting also how Ireland has no postal codes. Lot of African countries too.
It's interesting also how Ireland has no postal codes. Lot of African countries too.
I tell you its wonderful to be here, man. I dont give a damn who wins or loses. Its just wonderful to be here with you people.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
September 7th, 2021 at 9:14:09 AM
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Zip codes were only put into general use around 1964.
Before zip codes, my grandmothers address was 217-XX 10X Ave, Queens Village, New York 29
After it was 217-XX 10X Queens Village 11429. All zip codes did was put the post office code -114 with the route code 29 to form 11429
On Long Island, as an example, we used to have lots of farm land. Huntington used to have hundreds of acres of farms. As the farms disappeared and new industrial parks arose, new zip codes were created. When Newsday, the regional paper, moved from Nassau County out to Suffolk, it was able to get it's own zip code. It was the first business I knew of with it's own zip code.
The World Trade Center had it's own zip code. The replacement shares its zip with other buildings nearby and the old zip is currently not in use. The Empire State building has its own zip code. Rikers Island- NYC's jail, has it's own zip code. Dodger Stadium, in LA, has its own
Before zip codes, my grandmothers address was 217-XX 10X Ave, Queens Village, New York 29
After it was 217-XX 10X Queens Village 11429. All zip codes did was put the post office code -114 with the route code 29 to form 11429
On Long Island, as an example, we used to have lots of farm land. Huntington used to have hundreds of acres of farms. As the farms disappeared and new industrial parks arose, new zip codes were created. When Newsday, the regional paper, moved from Nassau County out to Suffolk, it was able to get it's own zip code. It was the first business I knew of with it's own zip code.
The World Trade Center had it's own zip code. The replacement shares its zip with other buildings nearby and the old zip is currently not in use. The Empire State building has its own zip code. Rikers Island- NYC's jail, has it's own zip code. Dodger Stadium, in LA, has its own
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
September 7th, 2021 at 9:17:34 AM
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Dont kid yourself. We were around.Quote: MDawgSomeone should start one on zip codes? Were they ever split off? Maybe so, but so long ago that none of us was around?link to original post
But Id be interested in a 3 digit prefix map. Ive looked occasionally for years.
Wait a secQuote: MDawgIt's interesting also how Ireland has no postal codes.link to original post
The place where the streets have no name, doesnt use postal codes either???
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 7th, 2021 at 9:21:20 AM
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Two questions not originally asked:
1- Why was NJ given 201?
2- When / what was the first to have a digit other than 0/1 in the middle?
1- Why was NJ given 201?
2- When / what was the first to have a digit other than 0/1 in the middle?
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 7th, 2021 at 9:25:30 AM
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Other stuff I remembered:
Most (all?) codes where the 2nd and 3rd digits are the same are reserved. 8xx are all toll free.
For this reason, Las Vegas was denied 777 as an overlay. (Fun fact: Cape Canaveral uses 321.)
Most (all?) codes where the 2nd and 3rd digits are the same are reserved. 8xx are all toll free.
For this reason, Las Vegas was denied 777 as an overlay. (Fun fact: Cape Canaveral uses 321.)
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
September 7th, 2021 at 9:44:06 AM
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Quote: ThatDonGuylink to original post
Before I moved, my phone number was 415-925-xxxx.
admin edit: number sanitization
I'm assuming it's someone else's number now.
No hard feelings. It's just a bad idea to have this page pop up when someone is trying to figure out if the extended vehicle warranty call is legit or not.
May the cards fall in your favor.
September 7th, 2021 at 9:46:52 AM
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Quote: MDawgSomeone should start one on zip codes? Were they ever split off? Maybe so, but so long ago that none of us was around?
It depends on what you mean by "split off." If you mean that part of a 5-digit code became another 5-digit code, I think it happened quite a bit when they added four digits. A lot of post offices got their own ZIP codes to handle their post office boxes.
I remember when a post office opened up and my ZIP code switched to the new post office's code, but this was about 50 years ago - but I am guessing this still happens every now and then.
September 7th, 2021 at 9:58:19 AM
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Do you mean the first three numbers of a zip code? They are simply the code for the main post office. 11429 is 114=Jamaica distribution center, and 29 is the subpost office- Queens Village. It means your mail went thru the Jamaica distribution center to the Queens Village post office.
Queens, NY has two million residents that are serviced by four main post offices. The first three digits tell you which of the four the mail went thru.
Queens, NY has two million residents that are serviced by four main post offices. The first three digits tell you which of the four the mail went thru.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
September 7th, 2021 at 10:01:35 AM
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I mean like - all of Los Angeles was I believe area code 213, and now we have 213, 310, 323, 424, 818, 626, etc.
Was for example, zip code 90077 always 90077? etc.
Before zip codes, there were...postal codes? Were they the same?
Yes I have noticed that sometimes one digit is added to the last digit to make that five digit zip code the zip code for just the PO Boxes in a given town. Wonder if that is something new...a split off?
Was for example, zip code 90077 always 90077? etc.
Before zip codes, there were...postal codes? Were they the same?
Yes I have noticed that sometimes one digit is added to the last digit to make that five digit zip code the zip code for just the PO Boxes in a given town. Wonder if that is something new...a split off?
Last edited by: MDawg on Sep 7, 2021
I tell you its wonderful to be here, man. I dont give a damn who wins or loses. Its just wonderful to be here with you people.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
September 7th, 2021 at 10:29:21 AM
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For a while I was involved with creating some ads for a small company. I too was surprised it was established that for the 800 number they considered it a 'lesson learned' that you always showed it as "1-800" . That the customer may have been pretty dumb was not considered a bad thing, though.Quote: AZDuffmanI worked at a place where we were giving our 800 number and the woman training us kept telling me to say "1-XX" which I just never gave because it was so obvious. I wanted to give her the example of Rush Limbaugh to his call screener.
link to original post
Being radio is a one-sided conversation.
"No, I am not going to tell them to dial '1' first."
"What do you mean I should?"
"Because if they do not know to dial '1' before the number they are too stupid to be on the air!"
My thought was if they did not know to dial '1' first they were too stupid to get a car loan.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell! She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
September 7th, 2021 at 11:35:35 AM
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From New Orleans after Hurricane Ida: USPS is anticipating nearly all post offices beginning with the zip codes 700, 701, 703 and 704 will be open.
