3-way switch

If I was going to design a 3-way Tele-style switch, I don't think I could have come up with anything as unintuitive and complicated as "the" 3-way Tele-style switch.
Having never installed one before, I had to install one yesterday. I didn't have any instructions and my internet was out. I could have stared at this thing for hours before figuring it out. Actually, I didn't until I got my internet connection restored.
You know this thing only needs 3 terminals and "bam" yer done!
Why is this switch designed like it is... 8 terminals and a bunch o' jumpers. Unless it was originally designed to run a multi-speed fan or something like that, I don't know...but dang!

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was something that Leo repurposed. Why design/build something new if what you need is already readily available?

Those switches existed long before the Telecaster and came in a lot of different configurations. It was a standard off the shelf item.