So many dozens

While taking an IQ test on Facebook, I bumped into a term called Baker's Dozen. Googling on that revealed some other dozens.

Baker's Dozen

• During 16th century, bakers in England gave 13 (12+1) items when 12 were asked. There were severe punishment (losing hand) for not giving 12. So they gave 1 extra.
• In the modern era, the 12+1 rule is followed for different reasons. Assuming 13 items are placed in 3 rows (4+5+4), they can form close-pack hexagon shapes. This makes processing, packing etc. more easy.
• The concept is used beyond bakery industry.
• A.k.a. Devil's dozen.
  

Banker's Dozen

• It is a pun on the Baker's dozen.
• Pointing to the ill intentions of the bankers, there are some loan scheme where lender is given the money after deducting the interest in advance.
• So, the banker gives you less on what is agree upon.
• Not related to the number 12.
  

Decimal Dozen

• It is a dozen of 10 (12 - 2). And it is for a good reason.
  
• Invented in Australia around in 1980s.
• Stats showed that women bought 50%+ of wine.
• The maximum recommended weight a lady should take was 15kg, which happen to be the minimum weight of 12-pack wine. The weight exceeded up to 20kg sometimes.
• So, a company came up with the 10 pack solution.

It's all about dozens.. :)

Links:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker%27s_dozen
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banker%27s_dozen
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decimal_dozen

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