Was USB-A always intended to be reversible?

1. Why was USB A not reversible?
2. Is USB always reversible?
3. Why are we still using USB type A?
4. When was USB Type A and B was introduced?

Why was USB A not reversible?

Turns out there's a very specific reason for the USB's lack of reversibility. A USB that could plug in correctly both ways would have required double the wires and circuits, which would have then doubled the cost.

Is USB always reversible?

USB Type-C is termed “universal” as it is reversible (while the Type-A is unsymmetrical and polarized). The USB 3.1 standard is backward-compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

Why are we still using USB type A?

If you need hardware or memory that's compatible with the widest variety of devices, USB-A is still often the way to go. Many people still don't have a device with a USB-C port, and it's not always practical or efficient to rely on the use of USB-A to USB-C converters.

When was USB Type A and B was introduced?

Lower image: Various USB connectors (From left to right: USB Type-A, USB Type-B, 5-pin Mini-B, two proprietary 4-pin Mini-B variants). First released in 1996, the USB standards are maintained by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).