Serial number plates, I's as 1's

[Samjoe]

I have seen a few ID or VIN # plates, where Studebaker is using a I as the number 1. I know they might just be using the Roman numeral as a 1. But what I would like to know , maybe why they did that and how long had they been doing that. I haven't been able to find much information on this. Did anyone discuss this in Turning Wheels?
Just curious.

[showbizkid]

This is one of those things no one really knows. You're right to assume that the I stands for the numeral 1, but no one knows why they did this. Just one of those quirks!


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Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard

http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

[StudeRich]

You have to think it was done for clarity, as a 1 can be taken for either 1 or I, but of course you have to know that they did that, or it leads to MORE confusion as some Motor Vehicle Dept. inspectors have undoubtedly found out! [:0]

On Engine serial numbers confusing Letters (I,L) were omitted for the same reason.


StudeRich at Studebakers Northwest -Ferndale,WA

[studegary]

I believe that the die set did not include a 1 (one). Many early typewriters did not include a 1 (one). I used to use an l (lower case l/L) for a 1 (one). My father, an even earlier generation, used an I (upper case i/I) for a 1 (one).

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[showbizkid]

Interesting, Gary. So it could be a generational thing that started way back when, and then became tradition.

I'd forgotten about the typewriter bit. But you're right - my 1950 Smith-Corona portable has no "1". I remember using the lower-case "l" as a substitute when I learned to type (back in the 70's, wise guy).


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard

http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

[jclary]

I am glad this topic was posted. I have an old Underwood type writer that has to date back to the 20's or '30's. I traded an old brass lamp for two of them back in 1968 when I was trying to get admitted to college. I used parts from both to make one good one that has the wide "business" carriage, I used it for my term papers. It now rests in a dark corner of my great room. I went over to check on it and found that "indeed" it has no number one. I also found that the grand kids had jammed the keys, so now I can fix that and have a little discussion when they visit again. When selling industrial supplies, I sold a metal number stamping kit. I think the brand was "Hargrave." If I remember correctly they made high quality "C" clamps, punches, chisels, and the numbering and letter punch sets.

John Clary
Greer, SC

I have only two limitations ...BRAINS & ENERGY
SDC member since 1975