What was the original use of the pound (number) and asterisk keys on a telephone keypad?

Question

I know the rotaries didn't have it - but I was wondering when they introduced the touchpad, what function the additional keys had for the average user.

I read somewhere that British Telecom had a wake up call service that used them - but not sure if America had similar functionality.

Answer 1

The original telephone dials didn't have hash and star signs at all. They had a rotary dial that clunked out clicks to signal the number being dialled.

Answer 2

they were introduced well before the use of "star codes" or voice mail...

there initial use was for interface between PBX systems...

Answer 3

The pound (#) and asterisk (*) keys were introduced shortly after the introduction of "Touch-Tone" telephones, in the 1950's and early 60's.

It was first "envisioned" that # keys could eventually be used to interface with computers.  But, in the end, they became to be used as control keys for - "special functions" - on telephone calls, as we now know them today.

Answer 4

The asterisk keys are also called as star code keys

some of the common uses are

*98 to retrive voice mail

*91 to initiate voice mail

*92 to switch off voice mail

*72 to activate call forward'

*73 to detativate call forwrd

*57 to trace a phone #

and the pound keys are used as redial in someof the phone sets  

and also used mostly when you call in IVMS (service provider)