Roman numerals survived for centuries despite Arabic numerals’ superiority

Evidence

‘Arabic numerals’, including the crucial zero, allowed much more sophisticated calculations than had been possible for the greatest mathematical minds of previous centuries. Yet, despite the obvious advantages it offered, there were widespread prejudices against the new-fangled notation and it was centuries before it replaced the cumbrous Roman numeral system in most European countries. — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing, 62

Categorization

• CANDY: Great elevator fact: the zero and Arabic numerals, radically better tech, were resisted by European prejudice for centuries.