Even though this topic has been done a lot already it is worth re-iterating. Many people in the UK believe that metrication in the UK is a result of UK membership of the European Union (EU), and believe this often repeated lie unquestioningly. The truth is that the UK began its metrication programme in 1965, long before the UK joined the predecessor of the EU, the European Economic Community (EEC), in 1973. Furthermore, the EU itself was not even created until 1992.
Showing posts with label metric system. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metric system. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Most Imperial units are not British
One of the myths about Imperial units is that Imperial units are made in Britain. The truth is very different, although Imperial units were defined in the 1824 Weights and Measures Act which made several other traditional units obsolete, the origins of Imperial units, which came from medieval English units of measurement, are not British.
Imperial units were mostly brought to Britain by the Romans almost 2000 years ago, other units were introduced by the Angles and Saxons from Northern Germany who brought their own measures, the Normans reintroduced Roman style measures, and others were later adopted and modified from medieval French variations of Roman units, known as avoirdupois and troy measures.
Imperial units were mostly brought to Britain by the Romans almost 2000 years ago, other units were introduced by the Angles and Saxons from Northern Germany who brought their own measures, the Normans reintroduced Roman style measures, and others were later adopted and modified from medieval French variations of Roman units, known as avoirdupois and troy measures.
Monday, 29 June 2009
British metric road signs: An overdue changeover
As part of the metrication programme, British road signs were originally intended to be converted to use the SI international metric system in 1973. However in 1970 the newly elected government put road signs metrication on hold, where it has remained ever since. Currently the information on British road signs is mostly imperial, with only limited usage of metric units.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Why the UK must relaunch and finish metrication
Back in 1965, the UK started its metrication process, with the aim of finishing by 1975. This target has been missed by 34 years and counting, which is a serious embarrassment. Although the UK is officially metric, with all trade, commerce, education, science, and technology solely or primarily in metric, the fact is that metrication in the UK is far from complete.
The failure to finish converting to the SI metric system means that the UK is a land where fuel is bought by the litre, yet many measure fuel economy using miles per gallon. We also see metres and kilometres in athletics and at the gym, yet we still encounter yards and miles on road signs. This is a measurement mess.
The failure to finish converting to the SI metric system means that the UK is a land where fuel is bought by the litre, yet many measure fuel economy using miles per gallon. We also see metres and kilometres in athletics and at the gym, yet we still encounter yards and miles on road signs. This is a measurement mess.