Need help.

miss kitty does jigsaw puzzels, maybe she can help

Check out this: http://www.ubr.com/clocks/frequently-asked-questions-faq/faq-roman-iiii-vs-iv-on-clock-dials.aspx

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The things I learn here.

miss kitty does jigsaw puzzels, maybe she can help

Silly. I finished the puzzle...I just wanted to know why all those clocks are wrong when I'm right!;-)

Check out this: http://www.ubr.com/clocks/frequently-asked-questions-faq/faq-roman-iiii-vs-iv-on-clock-dials.aspx

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THERE it is. Now I must know how you can find that and I can't. I need a class in advanced Googling.

Shelly, you just went up about ten slots on my list of revered people.

The things I learn here.

You and me both. Did you try the t-shirt folding? It will change your life.

So, what's the answer to the IIII v. IV????

So, what's the answer to the IIII v. IV????

There are several theories. Some of them (the most logical-sounding ones, to me) say it balances the face. Others say it has to do with the Roman god, Jupiter.

So, what's the answer to the IIII v. IV????

Who knew? I learned something today.

"There is a story that a famous clockmaker had constructed a clock for Louis XIV, king of France. The clockmaker had naturally used IV for four. When the clock was shown to the king, he remarked that IIII should have been used instead of IV. When it was explained to him that IV was correct, he still insisted, so that there was nothing to do but change the clock dial. This introduced the custom of using IIII for four. This is probably only a story, however, as IIII occurs long before the time of Louis XIV. And this same story is also told in connection with other monarchs. There is one reason why IIII is preferable to IV, and it may have caused the change. On the other side of the clock dial the VIII is the heaviest number, consisting of four heavy strokes and one light one, as it is usually made. It would destroy the symmetry to have the IV with only two heavy strokes on the other side. Thus IIII with four heavy strokes is much to be preferred. The change may therefore have been made for reasons of symmetry."

Those wild and zany Frenchmen!!!! Thanks for the lesson.

So why didn't he call himself Louis the XIIII?;-)

So why didn't he call himself Louis the XIIII?;-)

I think what really happened is Louis didn't want to see his name on a clock.

Silly. I finished the puzzle...I just wanted to know why all those clocks are wrong when I'm right!;-)



THERE it is. Now I must know how you can find that and I can't. I need a class in advanced Googling.

Shelly, you just went up about ten slots on my list of revered people.


You and me both. Did you try the t-shirt folding? It will change your life.

I'm flattered (?!) I think... ...I guess it depends on how many are on your list and who are the folks above and below me.


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You're the only one on it right now. I have a short attention span. I am impressed with how quickly you found me an answer...

You're the only one on it right now. I have a short attention span. I am impressed with how quickly you found me an answer...

Just skip Google next time, start here first. I am always amazed at the wealth of Sowal wisdom.

i saw a clip about the iiii vs iv on treasure hd - it was the whole balancing the face thing.

and clock makers and sellers usually put the hands on 10 and 2 to sell the clock so it looks like the face is smiling.useless info - that's me....

i saw a clip about the iiii vs iv on treasure hd - it was the whole balancing the face thing.

and clock makers and sellers usually put the hands on 10 and 2 to sell the clock so it looks like the face is smiling.useless info - that's me....

I actually knew that, and think of it EVERY SINGLE TIME I see a clock face now.

You're evidently not the first one to wonder. It's a FAQ:

http://www.ubr.com/clocks/frequently-asked-questions-faq/faq-roman-iiii-vs-iv-on-clock-dials.aspx

So in conclusion, it's not actually "wrong" to have IIII instead of IV. I guess it's no different than the way some words are spelled differently but they're still the same words with the same meanings and both spellings are correct. Like "center" if you're American and "centre" if you're European.

I'm glad it's not a flub-up, NoHall, because otherwise it'd have driven me crazy looking at IIII thinking it should have been IV!!!

I'm glad it's not a flub-up, NoHall, because otherwise it'd have driven me crazy looking at IIII thinking it should have been IV!!!

It actually HAS been driving me crazy ever since Christmas. I've been worried to death that someone would come in my house and NOTICE it!

It actually HAS been driving me crazy ever since Christmas. I've been worried to death that someone would come in my house and NOTICE it!

So it's a good thing that you brought it up here. Now you can tell your friends all these erudite stories about why it's IIII instead of IV. They'll be so impressed at the power of SoWal.

So it's a good thing that you brought it up here. Now you can tell your friends all these erudite stories about why it's IIII instead of IV. They'll be so impressed at the power of SoWal.

I'm already rather amazed at how much I already quote SoWal. What a very brainy bunch.

I'm already rather amazed at how much I already quote SoWal. What a very brainy bunch.

I think Google's the brainy one.

I think Google's the brainy one.

..watch it there missy.

Sooo what time is it??

Sooo what time is it??

A bit ago it was 7:2IIII am...

I learned about this from a tour guide at the Colosseum in Rome where it is written IIII, and not IV. His answer was no self respecting Roman would write it IV as that is incorrect. It should always be IIII. As pointed out, on high end watches, it is usually "correct" at IIII.