I know what it is, and that is by far the best place for it. Much easier than screwing around with a stalk on a steering wheel column, accidentally turning on the windshield wipers etc.
I've lost count of how many times I've had the windshield wipers going on a rainless night.
“that is by far the best place for it.”
Hogwash!
Remember trying to dim your lights while driving barefoot or in flip-flops? It really hurt the ball of your foot trying to mash that switch. Almost as bad as stepping on a big piece of gravel when running down the road.
Do you also remember that a lot of cars had a starter switch like that on the floor?