question about csh quoting

[D.A. Seifert]

why does csh use '!' ? Is a printing character necessary?
(does anyone still use '#' and '@' for erase and kill?)
Why not use a non-printing character for calling up the last command?

for example, ksh uses ^p (control-p) to retrieve the previous
command.  You can then execute it again by hitting return, or
edit it using emacs or vi commands.  The only problem I've
seen with this is that all the decwriter consoles have big
signs on them saying don't use ^p. Appariently it locks up a
decwriter.

{apologies to those of you who don't want to hear about ksh}
-- 
	_____
       /_____\	   	    That auto-crossing beagle,
      /_______\			      Snoopy
	|___|		    BMWCCA, Windy City Chapter
    ____|___|_____	       ihnp4!ihuxl!seifert