Roman Numerals and who cares

Ok, so when did the number IV (4) become IIII?

I really hadn't noticed until a co-worker of mine pointed out that the new clock in the town square had an incorrect numeral 4. (By the way, the City's response to her phone call was, 'Well, everyone gets confused between IV and VI, so we ordered it that way'.

Then I started looking around. A new clock we purchased for our new lobby has the same number 4. And, guess what, my desk clock that I have had for six years has the IIII as the four o'clock number.

So, I ask you....When did it change?

ttfn