tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post4743387114922177100..comments2024-02-28T02:23:50.477-06:00Comments on Constructive Thoughts: Absolute zeroSheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-36121171632217691972013-08-20T12:04:09.296-05:002013-08-20T12:04:09.296-05:00Thanks for adding a little historic perspective, K...Thanks for adding a little historic perspective, Keith. When metrication was a hot topic back in the '80s (?), I looked into the history, and was surprised to learn that Thomas Jefferson proposed a metric system around 1785. I believe it lacked the use of prefixes, though, and still used inches and feet. Had been adopted, we might now have two metric systems, but conversion would have been easier.Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-48037774080176908892013-08-20T11:42:01.616-05:002013-08-20T11:42:01.616-05:00Hey Sheldon -- I really like the admission that we...Hey Sheldon -- I really like the admission that we are not perfect - that construction does not rely on precision, particularly with respect to site conditions versus modelled or drawn dimensions (which will also always be perfect).<br /><br />I find the discussion on metric really interesting; and far be it for a Canadian to point out that the United States Congress authorized use of the metric system in 1866, one year before Canada became a Country under Confederation. Congress supplied each state with a set of standard weights and measures in 1875 to reinforce the standard. The US was also one of the 17 original signatory nations to the International Metre Convention and adopted the metric standard in 1893 under the Mendenhall Order; which also defined the foot and pound as imperial equivelants of the metric measures, hence the US Gallon (3.78 l) is closer to a litre than an actual Imperial Gallon (4.55 l) --- and which is why our miles to the gallon look so much better than yours ;-).<br /><br />NIST issued a statement in 1964 indicating that its common measurement units will henceforth be based on the SI metric system, except where conversion or usage would have a detrimental effect on the information being presented... there were further updates to metrication in 1968, 1975 and 1985... when the Reagan Administration de-funded the Metric Board. <br /><br />Last I heard is that there is a petition before the current Obama Administration to resurect metric sometime this year, and I see that there are some brave advocates presenting a bill in the Hawaii State Legislature to seek converting the islands to metric by 2018.<br /><br />It is a troubled history - and not one that I find we are doing any better at in Canada, so cannot boast about leading the way. They made metric law in 1972 - and as much as we use metric in our official measurements, most of the people here still think in feet and pounds... often mixing the units, which causes no ends of coordination problems when metric units are rounded off when actual imperial units were used to establish as-built conditions.<br /><br />Your conclusion that US has a long shot at becoming fully metrified is probably true --- think about it --- those old guys from almost 150 years ago didn't get it then... we that have converted still aren't fluent, and those that are made to switch are probably reluctant --- so 150 years later, it probably still will not happen.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16690122095044786818noreply@blogger.com