Why is number 9 modified on digital clocks in some movies? [closed]

I just found out that in some movies, for some reason the bottom part of number 9 on digital clocks is cut out. An example from Back to the Future (6 gets the same treatment):

I'd just dismiss it as them using a weird clock, but then, here are two examples where the clock used is a real clock model, and the real clock uses standard numbers - so this has to be deliberate.

The Matrix: The real clock:

Christmas with the Kranks: The real clock:

Note that I got the movie screenshots off a discussion forum, so there's a slight chance someone is just trolling me, but that would be a very weird way to troll, so I'm inclined to believe those are real screenshots.

So, what is the reason for that? Is it some inside joke like Wilhelm scream? Or is that done to make sure the audience doesn't confuse it with some other numbers (in which case, why wouldn't clock makers do this too?)?

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Best Answer

Both displays are a valid 7-segment display standards, it is up to the equipment manufacturer to implement them.

Typical 7 segment display looks like this:

Each of the elements can be highlighted, providing the display of the 0-9 numbers (as well as some letters). It is mostly up to a whoever is building the display screen, will he put a "tail" on digits 6,7 and 9:

However, if the display is intended to display hexadecimal values (so including A-F), the "6" and "9" digits need to have the tail, to distinguish "6" from "b". The same is true, if the display intends to present a text.

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Why is number 9 modified on digital clocks in some movies? [closed] - Flight Schedule Screen Turned on

Why is number 9 modified on digital clocks in some movies? [closed] - Crop unrecognizable male demonstrating contemporary wristwatch with time on display in mist on blurred background

Why is number 9 modified on digital clocks in some movies? [closed] - Man demonstrating modern electronic wristwatch

What is 9 on a digital clock?

There are two zeros or no minutes. This means it's something o'clock, and we already know the hour digit is the number nine. This is the digital clock which displays the time 9:00 o'clock.

Does a digital clock show numbers?

A digital display appears to be steady light, but it actually flickers like a fluorescent bulb. So the jumpy light and your vibrating retinas combine to make the numbers appear to hop around.

Why do the numbers on a digital clock bounce?

Digital clocks, on the other hand, work by counting cycles of pulses generated by timing chips within their circuits. The frequency of those pulses can fluctuate, affecting the clock's accuracy.

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