Quick - grab your phone. Look at the dialpad. Now punch in V-E-X.
See what number you get?
The Secret Code
When we registered for VEX Robotics, we needed a team number. Some teams pick their school number. Others go with lucky numbers or birthdates. We wanted something meaningful.
Then someone had a lightbulb moment: What if our number could spell something?
If you’ve ever texted on an old flip phone (ask your parents), you know each number key has letters:
| Key | Letters |
|---|---|
| 8 | T U V |
| 3 | D E F |
| 9 | W X Y Z |
8-3-9 = V-E-X
Our team number literally spells out what we do. Every time we write “CT839” on our robot, our banner, or our engineering notebook - we’re secretly spelling VEX.
Why We Love This
It’s the ultimate Easter egg. Most people never notice. But once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
It’s also a conversation starter at competitions. Other teams will ask, “Why 839?” And we get to watch their faces light up when they figure it out.
Try It Yourself
Next time you’re at a competition, look at team numbers differently. Are there other hidden messages out there?
- 329 could spell DAY, FAX, or… EAX? (Okay, not everything works)
- 786 spells RUN or SUM
- 269 spells BOX, COW, or ANY
Numbers are everywhere in robotics. Why not make them mean something?
Now you know our secret. Welcome to the club.
