Why was 911 decided to be the shorthand dial for emergency numbers? Why not other combinations that are easier to remember (e.g. 111, 123, etc.)?

Question

Why was 911 decided to be the shorthand dial for emergency numbers? Why not other combinations that are easier to remember (e.g. 111, 123, etc.)?

In: Other

Answer 1

Imagine being in an emergency and having to watch the rotary phone slowly spin back after clocking in the 9.