HI Susan
I’ve been a model engineer for pretty much all my life, and one of the disciplines that some model engineers follow is clockmaking, usually to a very high standard. So, although I’ve never yet made a clock - one day, who knows - I have read quite a lot on the subject.
The common explanation for the use on (some) roman numbered clock-faces of IIII rather than IV is that this style gives a better visual balance with the ‘8’, in roman numerals VIII, which is opposite the ‘4’ on the left hand side of the dial.
You should also note that the upright strokes of the ‘I’ s on a Roman numbered clock face should all be parallel in any one numeral, and not (as some lazy engravers make them) radial.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Richard.
Richard Ellam
L M Interactive
Science Shows and Hands-On Stuff
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www.lminteractive.co.uk
On 24 Feb 2015, at 12:41, Susan Pope <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello!
>
> Few anyone know why the 4 in Roman numerals is shown as IIII on a clock face and not IV?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Sue
>
> Sent from my iPad
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