If Chris McManus is watching… What makes you say that an
octal numbering system is “much more sensible”?
Why, that it would have simplified working with some computers from about 1945 to about 1965 (and then, with sharply decreasing applicability, to about 1990), of course.
I rather fancy that wasn’t what Evolution had in mind.
Before computers, it was 12 that was being pushed by reformers (more divisors).
The moderator of this forum has asked that posters include a link to the Staff Report or Mailbag Item that is being discussed.
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The Staff Report can be found on-line at this link:
Why do we have five digits on each limb? (06-Feb-2001)