Here's a suggestion: when the 8086 came out it was vastly inferior to the other types around (the more powerful super-type computers). However, they were more convenient so people started using them more. Now people still use them (as in 32bit processors) as they are compatible with everything else. Only now are 64bit processors starting to become mainstream but that's mainly due to AMD's take on it.
So maybe the "US" and "German" methods originally went on their paths because it was convenient, and they are still going that way because people don't like change?
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Meethoss
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