The four numbers we dial on a daily basis (or used to - how many of us actually makes calls anymore?) are not randomly chosen, and the logic behind them is both rational and pleasing.
Prior to 1958, picking up the phone for a non-local call would mean speaking to an operator to connect you. After the introduction of dialling codes, operators weren’t needed - and the Queen made the first ‘long distance’ call from Bristol to Edinburgh using the new codes.
The code for Glasgow given was 041, with the 4 representing the first letter of the city (G) on the rotary phone. Edinburgh's code was 031, which the Queen was first to use - with 3 representing E. Further south Manchester was assigned 061, and Liverpool assigned 051.
