And I've been trying to learn for years why R is on the left and L is on
the
right.

I wonder. Maybe because the ancient systems used two toggle
switches labelled "L" and "R" and they were connected to their
respective mags. When you turned off the L switch, you were running on
the R mag. It was self-evident. Our two Citabrias still have this
setup and I bet American Champion is still building them that way.
When Bendix came up with the combination starter/mag switch, the
internal mag-shorting contacts were set up in the same order but now
they had to label them opposite so that you knew which one you were
sparking on.
I'd rather have the toggles in my Jodel but it makes the
airplane so much easier to steal. If you can get in you can go.

Very true. But I've known pilots who thought that might be very usefull if
they lost their key at a remote fishing hole...

Peter
(It is an amusing thought)