Why is iiii used on clocks instead of iv

Timepiece Luminaries Relation between Timepieces and Society. Understanding Time and Timepieces. Types of Timepieces Keyword Search. Yes, all of those theories have been mentioned. But the one not mentioned in the last post is the one that strikes me four times as the most likely: Classicists who have studied old Roman inscription of marble monuments etc. Interestingly, though, the most famous tower clock in the world, Big Ben, uses the IV form.

This is a very efficient system, but died out almost entirely in the early 18th c.. Like so many others I wondered about the presentation of the number four on roman dials. Subtraction was a lot to wrap the head around. Using IIII may have also made work a little easier for certain clock makers. If you're making a clock where the numerals are cut from metal and affixed to the face, using IIII means you'll need twenty I's, four V's, and four X's.

That's one mold with a V, five I's, and an X cast four times. With an IV, you'd need seventeen I's, five V's, and four X's, requiring several molds in different configurations. Will anybody enlighten me about it? I purchased a clock where I find the orientation is not upside down in the dial and if that is not the correct oriention I will return it.

Prof M. The orientation of the numerals is simply a design choice. Nothing more. Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Watch Info Articles Technical Perspective. Big Ben is a bell. Your illustration is of the clock on the Victoria Tower. My Reasons for debunking the others. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Hands-on The F.

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