Roman Numerials

[sft42]

Can anyone tell me why it is that the roman form of 4 (IV) is used everywhere except on clocks and watches when the other form (IIII) is used?

[WendyW]

There doesn't seem to be a definative answer to this one but http://www.ubr.com/clocks/faq/iiii.html come up with several suggestions. Some are better than others!!!

[ralph1953]

I've seen penty of timepieces with IV in place of 4

[Hippy]

I think that IIII on the clock face makes the whole dial look more balanced. The IV in the four place creates a sort of disturbing void. I think it was invented by the Victorians for just this purpose as the Romans never used this form of four, using the IV form that conformed with their number stucture.