My understanding is that Bell Labs tested a number of layouts before settling on the 1-2-3 matrix we use now as being simplest to master (see R. L. Deininger, Human Factors Engineering Studies of the Design and Use of Pushhutton Telephone Sets, 1960, Bell System Technical Journal [PDF]).

I'm not sure if calculator / comptometer manufacturers had their competing studies; I've heard that when Bell asked for an explanation, the answer was a shrug...comptometers were about 80 years by then, so I think the origins of their layout are as opaque and full of folk explanations as the QWERTY layout.

Regardless, I've encountered OP's request before...but for phone layouts which matched calculator layouts. I was working in an operations office a few years ago run by a person who was a fan of "Cheaper by the Dozen" who wanted to optimize our phone dialing speed (this was a fun place to work, even if this request sounds odd). We didn't have any success, but it was an interesting thought.

Thank you for your work with Slashdot. This place has helped keep my interest in tech alive with your combination of neat stories and wry, sometimes sarcastic summaries...the place won't be the same without you.

I discovered Slashdot and Google about the same time in 1997, and since then, both site names have now become part of our day-to-day language...we google stuff on the web only to discover the site we want has been slashdotted! If nothing else, that's a pretty awesome accomplishment!

Best wishes for whatever is next...thanks again, and have fun!