Why is the cooling fan switch squence always off, 3 (highest power), 2, 1(lowest)?

Factual Questions
1

Why not start with the lowest power first and gradually go on to higher? Anyone have the dilly on this cuz I’ve been stumped since childhood… (/me ain’t proud)

2

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=69110

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=5627

There are a couple simple answers.

  1. It isn’t always the case. There are some fans that go: off, 1, 2, 3.

  2. One possible reason that many fans go: off, 3, 2, 1, is because (if you have a knob type control) you must first go to high power when starting the fan. This means more current, and hence more torque, is applied in the beginning to get the fan started.