The Roman Numeral Four and It's Place in Time
by Michael Chitwood

History has provided us with many important things, but maybe none as important as a way to keep track of  history: Time.  First measured with grains of sand, time has been around for quite some time.  Today, there are literally thousands of ways to keep time, for example: watches, clocks, computers, abuccases, sun dials, and the previously hinted on hour glass (which can commonly be found in minute glass versions in popular board games, such as Braniac, Cranium, and Boggle).  Without time, our days would be meaningless, not knowing when our favorite shows came on tv, when to wake up in the morning, nor when to go to bed at night.  Total chaos would most certainly rule.

I would like to now focus on the importance of the Roman numeral four (or IV) and it's role in instruments used to keep track of time.  If you've ever noticed on clocks that have Roman numerals, you will notice something odd about the IV.  It isn't an IV at all, but rather IIII. As preposterous as this may seem, it is done for some really good reasons, which I will explain in the following paragraphs.

First, IIII is a much better idea on a clock than IV because it's more aesthically pleasing.  It's such an unique and fascinating approach, some even consider it "completely mindblowing.  Wow.  Just purely inspiratational.  I love it."(Gilliam, 49).  Others have found it so interesting they wish the Roman numeral five (represented as a V, for the Romans victory over the gladiators), was instead replaced by IIII with a slash going through it.  That day may fast be approaching.

There are other reasons why IIII is commonly found on clocks.  By having only one combination of I and V, it is much easier to know where six is.  A lot of people eat dinner at six and so, to avoid the confusion of people accidentally eating at four, the switch was made to IIII from IV.

Similarly, another reason IIII is more commonplace is because clockmakers (as well as a large percentage of the population) often forget if the I comes before or after the V when trying to represent the numbers four and six.  An example of this confusement can be found in the Rocky movie where the title character fights the Russian.  Many moviegoers asked the ticket box employee, "Two for Rocky," instead of, "Two for Rocky IV," because they feared being made fun of for not knowing their Roman numerals. 

In conclusion, the elimination of IV and the introduction of IIII to the clock world has been an extremely beneficial change.  It helps us keep track of time. I'V become a fan IIII-ever!