Driver Released for Linux Kernel to Input Digits Using Rotary Dial from Vintage Telephones

Developer Stefan Wiler has introduced a specialized driver for the Linux kernel known as rotary_dial_kmod. This driver enables the use of a rotary dial, originally found in rotary phones, as a numeric input device on PCs.

For instance, this driver allows enthusiasts to repurpose an old rotary phone dial as a nostalgic gadget instead of relying on a numeric keypad. The dial connects through GPIO and, once the driver is activated, it becomes accessible as a new input device using evdev.

In 2020, engineer and amateur radio operator Justine Haupt launched an open project for a mobile phone equipped with a rotary dial.