First angle and Third angle.

In the UK we have the British Standard 308 which covers all drawing
aspects. As regards 1st and 3rd angle it has this to say:-
***********************************
"First angle projection is widley used throughout Europe and the USSR
and is often called European projection. Third angle is the system
used in North America and is alternatively described as American
projection. The current British and ISO standards state that both
systems of projection are equally acceptable but they should never be
mixed on the same drawing"
***********************************

We were taught both systems. The way it was described to me was to
take a equal sided cube. Letter a 1 on the front, a 2 on the left
hand side, 3 on the right hand side, 4 on the top and 5 on the bottom.

For First angle you LOOK at the side and project it the way you are
looking
1 is the front view
2 is the right hand view
3 is the left hand view
4 is the lower plan and
5 is the upper plan

For Third angle you Roll the part like an ink stamp.
1 is the front view
2 is the left hand view
3 is the right hand view
4 is the upper plan and
5 is the lower plan

Both types of view are represented by a truncated cone for a front
view and two concentric circles for an end view.
Both types acn be seen at:-

http://www.designinfo.com/RefLibrary/CDS/project.htm

Scroll down for the links to First angle and third angle.
we were taught, " First you LOOK third you ROLL."