Wht doesnt the U.S. use the metric system, it so much simpler than what we use now!!!!! Please answer, this question is killing meeeeee!
2006-09-09 08:50:16 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
NOOOOOOOo......NOT THE PIONT:(
Why didnt we keep the metric system? (we had it originally for quite some time!)
2006-09-09 08:59:36 · update #1
For some reason (I can't figure out why), the US decided to stick with the imperial English measurement system rather than switching over to the metric system when so many other countries standardized. Actually, even though people in the US still speak of feet, miles, ounces and pounds, lots of things in the US use metric measures, though: soda is often sold by liter, medical professionals and academic professionals use metric measurements in doctors offices, laboratories, pharmaceuticals, the classroom, etc. Even height is measured in cm for medical purposes. Nobody uses ounces in chem class! I think the US system is muddled and needs to step up and standardize everything eventually. Though many say that it would be too expensive to transition, I disagree, and we've already gone very far in a transition without anyone really realizing it.
2006-09-09 09:01:16 · answer #1 · answered by forbidden_planet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be insightful to think of it this way. If a language was developed that was simpler than all the others, would we all change to speak it? Clearly not (at least not for a long, long time), and everyone would have their own reasons.
Still, the benefits of a common language are real. Perhaps this is the reason that many people around the world are learning English because it has developed into an obvious choice for a second language if it is not already their native language. (No, I'm not saying that English is a simple language, just one that seems to be catching on).
In the same way, the metric system is an obvious choice for a second system of units if it is not your native system of units. While not all in the U.S. are embracing it, it is becoming more and more familiar to most. But we will continue to be "bilingual" in our units just as others around the world continue to favor their original spoken languages, as well they should!
2006-09-09 20:45:34 · answer #2 · answered by or_try_this 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you are clearly british or european, becauce most Americans find our methods simpler. We have incorporated it some, drill bits are metric, screws are metric, and in school for math we use the metric system. I believe that your system has 9 different units, as opposed to our few. Now, to answer your question, in early England I believe the yard was about the lenth of your arm, and the kings foot was measured to decide on the lenth of the foot. Obviously, this caused some problems from person to person. Eventually a permanent standard was set but it was favored more over hear than in modern England.
2006-09-09 09:06:42 · answer #3 · answered by wondering scholar 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We have switched over to the metric system...sort of. Just no one knows about it. Look at most of our food packaging. Next to the standard measurement units, you will most likely find the metric units. I dont know why we dont use it. Maybe because it makes to much sense.
2006-09-10 00:14:50 · answer #4 · answered by Ian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There would be considerable cost in doing so. All businesses would have to change the way they engineer things and just converting inches to centimeters wouldn't do it. For example, a 1/2" tool would never be made into a 12.7mm tool - you would just make tools in integer millimeters.
Regardless, we should just bite the bullet and do it - the metric system is 100 times better (pun intended).
2006-09-09 08:53:51 · answer #5 · answered by Random Precision 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because your congressmen were subject to lobbyists from the plumbing industry. Plumbers didn't want to have to get all new tools and pipes that conformed to metric standards. We were supposed to go metric in 1975. Didn't happen.
Our congressmen are retarded.
2006-09-09 15:24:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Academia uses the metric system.
2006-09-09 08:52:10 · answer #7 · answered by medellia1984 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are right!
I have often asked this same question myself.
I am American and I am sorry I don't know the answer.
I wish we would. If we did it would seem to me we would
tell the world we embrace global partnership in measurement.
Perhaps it would say more.
Have fun but be safe! ☺☺☺
Rivera Rotation - Sundowner!
2006-09-09 08:57:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very simply because France does.
I am surprised they still use the same system as the rest of the world for time.
2006-09-09 08:52:28 · answer #9 · answered by curious 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there tried to do it 30 years ago, and then again 10 years later...but ppl are just to stupid, I guess...I'm glad I was brought up on metric...so I never had any problems in College..well U really don't need it in every day life in America, unless you study engineering or science...
2006-09-09 08:54:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋