I found this while looking at the site that was posted for the league. No wonder the metric system became so popular.

Even the units used in Britain were renewed (meaning changed)in 1496, 1588 and 1758. The last Imperial Standard Yard in bronze was made in 1845.

The English mile was changed from 5000 feet as recent as 1592 to its present length.

And to think there still some who want to perpetuate this horrible mess.



http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=3greeeoqnas90?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Medieval+weights+and+measures&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1&sbid=lc01b&linktext=Medieval%20weights%20and%20measures

I'm not out to defend Imperial, but I would argue somewhat the opposite. The UK seemed to have an effective, nation-wide standards system for a long time. Yes, a few things changed over time, but it wasn't the havoc elsewhere.

The other European nations, who became early metric adopters, seemed to have a plethora of regional standards within their own country as well as completely different units than their neighbors. I can see why they would be eager adopters of a standard.

For the UK, Imperial is far from desirable for science, but it actually worked for trade. It was a matter of will to go from one working system to another.

"For the UK, Imperial is far from desirable for science, but it actually worked for trade. It was a matter of will to go from one working system to another."


It worked for trade as long as your trading partners were still using it, but since they all abandoned ship, imperial is no longer suited for trade unless you can sell everything you make to only yourself. So the matter of will was to continue to serve your existing markets and to trade in the same units they were in. Once your customers changed systems, imperial ceased to be a working system.

The question is what motivated everyone else to change first?

<<The question is what motivated everyone else to change first?
>>

Perhaps you don't like my answer but I suggested one. Every other countries' (in Europe) units were a complete mess. They had a more pressing need to change, and even England was using metric for science, and some were advocating a change for trade (which didn't make Imperial look like the solution to anyone.)

I meant what motivated the countries already using imperial, a working system for trade, to change to metric? I accept your answer as far as Europe and others who never used imperial are concerned. I hope this clears up any mis-understanding on this question.

<<
The English mile was changed from 5000 feet as recent as 1592 to its present length.
>>

As recent as 1592??? Is this a typo or does someone have a skewed time continuum?

Barry Mackenzie: I'm as dry as a medieval monk's manuscript.


Rip

<<I meant what motivated the countries already using imperial, a working system for trade, to change to metric?>>

Some combination of:
*It's a more rational system and some educators have pushed it
*It is strongly preferred for science and somewhat for engineering
*The circle of English speaking countries was at a disadvantage as a trading block and wanted trade with the (larger) metric circle.

Probably today, the 3rd point is most important, but when talk began, I'd say the first two points drove it, beginning in the 1800's. (which shows those groups lack clout)

Re: Medieval Weights and Measures - a history of hodge-podge July 18 2005, 12:05 PM


<<I meant what motivated the countries already using imperial, a working system for trade, to change to metric?>>

If you include France and the revolution in that equation, listed grievances included measurements. The reason, that units with the same name varied in value from district to district. A similar situation prevailed in Britain till 1904.

<<As recent as 1592??? Is this a typo or does someone have a skewed time continuum?>>

For me, "the funny" was compounded by an American saying it. I would have expected it from the Brits on the board as there is obviously more of a sense of heritage.

For me, it and the measurements from 3000 BC are about the same age: old.

Ahhh, this brings back memories. Just further proof that if you hang around this board long enough, everything gets discussed again.

I would like to point out that in 1592, the metric system had not been invented. That means the mile has been at about the same length for roughly twice as long as the metric system has been around. (assuming the 1592 date is true... I didn't bother to verify it myself)

Britain had been procrastinating over going metric ever since the middle of the nineteenth century. It didn't happen because parliament wouldn't agree on a cut-off date for imperial.

Metrication in Britain had been recommended by various committees several times after having studied the whole question of measures for trade and official purposes. Unfortunately it was blighted by the same bogies then as now. They didn't like the idea of compulsion and wouldn't accept that the only way a country can change its official system of measurement is with the aid of legislation in certain quarters.

When they finally made up their minds to go for it in 1965 (after lobbying from industry) they set the ball rolling but didn't handle it as they should have done with a more decisive programme. They did certain things in the hope it would take care of itself but didn't promote it or educate the public suffiently (like they did with decimal coinage). When it came to implementing an order enforcing a cut-off date for imperial in the late seventies they got cold feet and shelved it.

The rest as they say is history.

Stan: "When they finally made up their minds to go for it in 1965 (after lobbying from industry) they set the ball rolling but didn't handle it as they should have done with a more decisive programme. They did certain things in the hope it would take care of itself but didn't promote it or educate the public suffiently (like they did with decimal coinage). When it came to implementing an order enforcing a cut-off date for imperial in the late seventies they got cold feet and shelved it."

One would be hard put to find any example of a government's gutlessness and vacillation over any issue equalling that of successive British governments' pathetically irresolute political leadership and action over metrication in Britain. What is it about metrication that it is such a bogey for British governments? No-one will grasp the nettle in any real and decisive way and finish the job; and so it drags on and on, one decade after another without resolution. I believe that in 1965 when it was announced that Britain would metricate it was planned to be completed by 1975. And here it is 2005 and it still has not happened in any conclusive way! That's ridiculous.

Re: Medieval Weights and Measures - a history of hodge-podge July 19 2005, 1:26 AM

Rip
One would be hard put to find any example of a government's gutlessness and vacillation over any issue equalling that of successive British governments' pathetically irresolute political leadership and action over metrication in Britain.

metre
Actually the honour of political gutlessness goes to both, this country and Yankeeland.
Either seems out to please everyone and finishes pleasing nobody.

"Yankeeland"

Response: Leopard/spots