Push buttons are mechanical or electrical switches that are designed to be activated by pressing or pushing them with a finger or any other object. These buttons typically consist of a button or a small surface that can be depressed, temporarily interrupting or closing an electric circuit when pressure is applied. They are commonly found in various devices, appliances, machines, and control panels to initiate specific actions or operations.
In electronic devices, push buttons are often used as user interfaces, allowing individuals to interact with the device by triggering specific functions. They can be momentary, requiring continuous pressure to maintain the activation, or latching, where a single push toggles the state of the device until pushed again to return to its original state.
Push buttons come in different shapes, sizes, and colors to serve different purposes and provide visual cues. They can be round, square, rectangular, or even ergonomic, depending on the intended application. Often, push buttons are labeled or symbolized to indicate their function or the operation they trigger.
With their simple and straightforward functionality, push buttons have become a ubiquitous feature in our modern lives. From everyday objects like doorbells, elevators, and appliances, to specialized equipment in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, push buttons play a crucial role in facilitating human-machine interactions and enabling efficient control and operation of various systems.
The word "push buttons" combines two separate words: "push" and "buttons".
The term "push" originated from the Middle English word "puschen", which is derived from the Old French word "pousser", meaning "to exert pressure or force". The word has Germanic roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "puskōną", meaning "to push".
The word "button" originated from the Old French word "bouton", which is derived from the Latin word "bottō", meaning "knob or bud". It entered the English language in the 14th century and originally referred to any small protuberance but eventually became specifically associated with garments and fastenings.
Together, the term "push buttons" refers to small knobs or switches that are pressed or pushed to initiate a specific action or function, such as in electronic devices or machinery.