Kevin Drum posted this the other day - lots of comments. [image] The metric system in everyday American life - Kevin Drum The other day, for no real reason, I was thinking about metric measurements and how often we use them. I'm not thinking of scientific contexts, just everyday uses th…

[image] Klaveness: Is there actually a single imperial unit out there that are not defined as some conversion of a metric unit? Degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius/Centigrade.

[image] Hartley: That might be applied to other areas of endeavor as well. I agree, individuals and organizations are going to optimize their situation wrt the use units of measure based on costs and convenience (inconvenience also being a cost). Unlike most countries U.S. mostly left it up…

[image] Kennebec_Captain: This explains why some things in U.S. are metric (UTM) some a mix (food packaging) and some customary (lumber). Could it have something to do with some US made products are exported to countries that demand markings in metric and others are stickily for domestic cons…

[image] ombugge: Could it have something to do with some US made products are exported to countries that demand markings in metric and others are stickily for domestic consumption? That’s an example of an organization optimizing their situation.

Never got an injection or IV in the USA which was measured in teaspoons. :grinning:

[image] Klaveness: Is there actually a single imperial unit out there that are not defined as some conversion of a metric unit? Technically all Imperial measures. They preceeded the metric system which only goes back to 1795. The Imperial system was based on the Winchester system which was de…

The exception in the use of SI units is clothing where everything is in centimetres. When we changed from inches women didn’t want their waist size in millimeters. Shoe sizes are still in UK sizes.

I remember this poster when I lived in London. It probably would draw howls of protest in our currently politically correct climate. [think-metric]

In the US I have never had any medication injected by a fraction of a tablespoon or an ounce.

My doctor prescribes his leeches by the millimeter…

Metrification in the U.S

Professional Mariner Forum

Lee_Shore March 20, 2022, 6:07pm 99

Technically all Imperial measures. They preceeded the metric system which only goes back to 1795. The Imperial system was based on the Winchester system which was developped in the Middle Ages.

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Metrification in the U.S

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