About Us

Welcome to 1x4x9x16, your go-to galactic emporium from the folks at Advanced Monolithix, where you can discover whimsical curiosities, creative treasures, useful tools, and a gathering other items that tend to be found on the path less traveled by (as that makes all the difference).

What does 1 x 4 x 9 x 1 6 mean?

While this site is the store associated with the Advanced Monolithix company, we wanted a more satisfying name for it that would be easier for people to remember, let alone spell. As such, in keeping with our continual references to 2001: A Space Odyssey, the term 1 x 4 x 9 x 16 refers to the relative dimensional ratios of the mysterious monolith(s) noted in the novel/film (they represent the relationship of the various measured dimensions to each other, aka 1:4:9). As noted by the author, Arthur C. Clarke, the monoliths could potentially be “as large as they needed to be” but were always found in these dimensions. The dimensions represent the initial series of perfect integer squares (1² : 2² : 3², etc.) in order. If the 4² (hence the 16) puzzles you for 3-dimensional space, know that Clarke himself inferred in the subsequent followup novels that the series of ratios extended beyond just the three spatial ones we are accustomed to (add time, for instance).