Ever Wondered Why Does The Power Symbol Have This Shape?
Ever Wondered Why Does The Power Symbol Have This Shape?

Well, it’s of no doubt that almost everyone is familiar with the iconic power symbol. Do you know that the circular part that we see in the Power button actually represents the binary number 0 (off state), and the line which we see represents the binary number 1 (On State).

Ever Wondered Why Does The Power Symbol Have This Shape?

Well, it’s of no doubt that almost everyone is familiar with the iconic power symbol. I am talking about the power symbol that we see on various electronic devices which are used to turn the device on or off. However, in earlier times, we didn’t have the symbol on the buttons. Instead, we had ‘on’ and ‘off’ written on the power buttons.

The power symbol that we see today on various devices was actually introduced way back in 1973 by the International Electrochemical Commission. They included the symbol to their set of graphical symbols for use on electronics.

However, it wasn’t just some random graphics, and it signifies something. The circular part that we see in the Power button actually represents the binary number 0 (off state), and the line which we see represents the binary number 1 (On State).

Another reason why the symbolic power button was introduced was to lift the language barrier. In earlier times, people felt hard to understand the ‘On’ and ‘Off’ text written on the power button. The power button symbol is also used in digital user interfaces as well.

Not only that, but there is more than one symbol for power when it comes to the technology, and each of them means something different. The symbol which has the line half inside the circle indicates the power button won’t cut off the power completely. Instead, it will turn your device in the standby mode.

Similarly, the symbol which has the line inside the circle means it will turn the power ON/Off completely. The toggle or rocker buttons that have the line outside the circle means switching the button on each side will turn the power ON/Off completely.

For more details, you can check out the video uploaded by Lazy Game Reviews.

So, what’s your opinion on this? Share your views in the comment box.

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