Where did the US system of measurements come from, and why won't we adopt the more accurate metric system?

Answer 1

I'm not sure exactly where it came from, however when I was in college one of my math professors said that there have been attempts to replace the US system of measurements with the globally accepted metric system of measurements. That particular motion, however, died in Congress because there was so much opposition from US citizens that congressmen feared they'd lose support in future congressional elections. In short, people are afraid of change.

Answer 2

I can't say for certain because I haven't studied this history and I'm too lazy to research it now. But I know the system of measurements in place in the US now came from Great Britain with the settlers (I guess on the Mayflower).

The reason the US refuses to adopt the system used by the REST of the world is mostly a political one, since it would take political action to make it happen. Many politicians grew up with and have an affection for the system used by the US. It is what most of us are comfortable with and understand. It will be a pretty tough transitional period when we finally do decide to switch over to the other system.

For example, one change that would occur would be giving up farhenheit and using celsius when measuring temperature. Here are some typical delimmas that might occur during this transitional period when everyone is getting used to the new units:

The weather report says that it is 50 degrees celsius outside right now. Should I wear a jacket and pants, or should I wear a tank top and shorts?

My driver's license says I weigh 200 kilograms. Am I overweight?

My driver's license says I'm 200 centimeters tall. Am I a midget or the tallest man alive?

My speedometer says I'm going 75 kilometers per hour. Is this a safe speed?

Of course, if you don't live in the united states, all the questions I just asked will seem absurd.....

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The metric system is not any more exact. Both systems will produce the exact same result regardless of the units used.

The metric system is considered better because there are fewer conversion factors to remember since the relationships were based on multiples of 10. Certain calculations are easier to do based on that IF you were raised only under the metric system. If you were raised on the US system, the metric system does not seem easier since the person must then work with two systems and the advantages of metric don't overshadow the effort needed to know both.

But, don't get me wrong. I believe US should switch to the metric system eventually to eliminate the errors in converting back and forth. I'm just not ready to burn my HP-15C in protest over it.

Answer 4

Our system is based on the old English system. There was a big push for the metric system in the mid 1970s. I remember studying it in school. Then it just died out - I think industry was against making the change.

Answer 5

The U.S. (or English) system is traditional, most people are familiar with it, and as answerer vidigod says, we wouldn't "know" what units mean in any other system. Also: The metric system is not more accurate than the English system. 1 mil is 0.001 inch. If you go on to study science, you will become familiar with the metric system. You will learn that acetone boils at 60C and that urea or cinnamic acid melts at 132C. That will not get in the way of your understanding what to wear on these January days when it is 53F.

Answer 6

Changing from the English system to metric has to be done cold turkey. When we tried to switch, both temperatures were reported on the weather channels, so no one paid attention to the celsius reading. Secondly, conversion offered were dumb. For example, the 55 MPH speed limit on the highway was posted as 88 KMH. No one's speedometer showed exactly 88. It should have been changed to 90. In other words, there was no emotional commtimment to really switch.

Answer 7

We don't change because people don't want to pay for the changeover. Typical short term thinking for the US, which is why the rest of the world is starting to beat us in business.