Turns out the original area codes aren’t random numbers randomly assigned to states and areas, cities with larger populations, like New York got codes that were faster to dial ... on rotary phones, it makes sense, if there are more people in an area than statistically more people will be calling that area.
This area code system started being implemented in 1947. 212 is New York City’s original area code. That being said NYC and many other places had area codes added later in history, thats how we have NYC’s 917 area code which was added in 1992. Rotary phones started falling out of style by the end of the 1960s when touch-tone phones took the stage. Presumably making the dial time factor irrelevant when adding new area codes.
Interestingly all the phone number combinations for the 212 area code are in use, making it very hard/very expensive to get a 212 number today.
Want to find out more about area codes? check out these links!
Also, the Reddit thread that clued me into this gem of information I didn't know I needed: https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/d9j0as/til_the_area_codes_that_are_easiest_to_dial_on_a/