In article , Mike Coslo writes:

Hard to imagine having an element 2, 3, and 4, but no
element 1.

Not really!

Back before restructuring, we had the following elements (IIRC):

1A - 5 wpm code
1B - 13 wpm code
1C - 20 wpm code
2 - Novice written
3A - Tech written
3B - General written
4A - Advanced written
4B - Extra written

Before March 21, 1987, the Tech and General used the same written, called
Element 3. When they split that into two separate tests, the names were changed
to 3A and 3B. A similar split took place back in 1967 when the Extra written
(Element 4) was split into Advanced and Extra.

Etc.

73 de Jim, N2EY