I love stories about the origins of Roman numerals. According to one, a shepherd would make notches in a stick for each of his sheep as he lets them out to pasture. The carvings on the stick were so beautiful that they were used just like that as Roman numerals. The wisdom that allowed sheep a bit of freedom gave rise to beautiful letters. And this gave rise in the desire to use symbols like the ancient shepherds did. That was the entire inspiration for this clock.