Origins of imperial and metric

Answer 1

Before humans created systems of measurement, like the metric system, many cultures used local customs for measuring objects. The English at one time used grains of barley as their standard for measurement! However, as you can guess, all grains of barley are not the same, so their system was not at all accurate.

During the 17th century, forward thinking people realized that a standard system was needed for accurate and consistent measurement. Gabriel Mouton, a clergyman from France, proposed a decimal measurement system in 1670 AD based on the length of one minute of the Earth's circumference. The French astronomer Jean Picard suggested that the length of a pendulum that swung once per second should be the standard unit for measuring in 1671 AD. These were much more accurate than local custom forms of measurement, as they were based on physical laws of motion. These were the beginnings of measurement systems as we know them and over the years they have taken many forms.

It wasn't until the 1790s that the "metric system" was created. The National Assembly of France requested that the French Academy of Sciences invent an accurate, standard system of weights and measures in 1790 AD. The system they created was simple and scientific and was adopted by the French in 1795 AD. This was, of course, the metric system. Although adopted by the French government, the French people were not required to use this form of measurement until 1840!

This earliest form of the metric system had the unit of measure equaling a fraction of the earth's circumference. This fraction was 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the longitudinal line near Barcelona, Spain/Dunkerque, France and the North Pole. This unit of length was called the metre, based on the Greek word metron, which means measure.

The metre, as stated above, is the standard measure of length in the metric system. The unit for fluid capacity was originally a cubic decimeter, which became known as the liter. The unit for mass is a cubic centimeter of water at about 4 degrees centigrade, as that is when the unit weighs the most. That unit for mass became known as the gram.

Over the years, these units of measurement have been replaced by even more accurate ones. Other units of measure have also been added to the system. The General Conference for Weight and Measures, an international group of scientists that meets to revise the metric system, gave this measurement system the name "Systeme International d'Unites" in 1960.

Today, the metric system has been adopted by most major countries. The United States is the only major country that still has a very limited use of this system of measurement. U.S. businesses have converted to this system, though, due to the fact they are competing in a global market that is based on the metric system.

Timeline of Important Dates In The History Of The Metric System

- 1670: Gabriel Mouton proposed his decimal system of measurement based on a fraction of the Earth's circumference.

- 1671: Jean Picard proposed the swinging pendulum as a measure of length.

- 1790: The National Assembly of France asked the French Academy of Sciences to create a standard system of weights and measures.

- 1795: France adopted the metric system.

- 1840: French government required all Frenchmen to convert to the metric system.

- 1866: Congress legalized the use of the metric system in the United States. However, its use was not required.

- 1875: The Treaty of the Meter was signed at the close of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures conference.

- 1957: The U.S. Army and Marine Corps adopted the metric system. Used as the basis for their weapons and equipment.

- 1965: Great Britain began adopting the metric system.

- 1988: Congress passed the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act. This act called for all federal government agencies to use the metric system for business by the end of 1992.

Answer 2

The imperial system of measurement originated in the United Kingdom in the 1820s, based on older systems used in England. It includes units like inches, feet, and pounds.

The metric system was developed in France in the late 18th century during the French Revolution. It was designed to be a decimal system, making conversions between units easier. It includes units like meters, grams, and liters.

Answer 3

The metric system is a way to measure things. Since the dawn of civilization, people have needed to determine sizes, distances and volumes. The word "mile," for example, is derived from the Latin "mille passus," a thousand paces. (One pace was defined as two steps.) Although convenient, this measurement was not very precise. The idea of a standardized system of measurement has been attributed to the Englishman John Wilkins, who presented it in 1668. It was first adopted as a national standard by France, in 1791. Metric measurements are designed to be practical and universal. They are derived from values that remain constant in space and time. Measurements are divided into units of 10, 100 or 1,000 to make calculations easier. Worldwide acceptance of this recognized, neutral standard has simplified the exchange of goods and services. The metric system is a common point of reference that is easy to understand. It is the official standard of measure in all but three countries: Libera, Myanmar and the United States.

Answer 4

The French originated the metric system of measurement. The Imperial units come from earlier English units. The French originated the metric system of measurement. The Imperial units come from earlier English units.

Answer 5

Imperial units or the Imperial system was first defined in the British Weights and Measures Act of 1824.

Answer 6

The SI unit includes: meter for length; kilogram for mass; second for time.The U.S. system includes: inch, foot, mile for length, pound for mass, second for time.

Answer 7

Second, the unit for measurement of time, is common to both systems.