it drives me crazy@!@
2007-02-20 23:50:48 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
we didn't. we adopted the British system at the time of the colonies and that is what we're stuck with. I agree, it can drive ya nuts!!
We tried to go metric a few decades ago but that effort failed.
tom
2007-02-20 23:54:10 · answer #1 · answered by a1tommyL 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Basically, they didn't. Most of the measurements that are used by the US (weight, distance, temperature etc.) came from the UK, from when the US was a colony. The only difference that I can think of is that a US gallon is less than a UK gallon (something to do with the pilgrim fathers ripping each other off, I think). Also, a lot of measurements used in the UK are not used in the US - for example, in the UK we use stone (14 lbs), we don't use fluid ounces in the UK very much and we also use yards, whereas the US tend to talk in feet. Meanwhile, the UK has been converting to the metric system used across most of the rest of the world. This has been a slow process, but we're getting there, although there are still some amusing anomolies - for example in the UK, when talking about hot weather many Brits say 90 degrees (farenheit), but if it's freezing they say 0 degrees (centigrade).
2007-02-21 07:59:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In history the Romans had a duo decimal system because 12 is a useful number for primative marketting. When the Romans were around which was about 400 years each side of the year 0 it was universally thought that the earth was flat and America didn't exist. When America was discovered the founding fathers all got togeather and devised a new system.
2007-02-24 02:54:49 · answer #3 · answered by Think Tank 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The US didn't. The system the US uses now is the one the British used during colonization. Then in 1826 the British redid their system which is why the US customary system is slightly different than the Imperial system that the Brits later abandoned when they switched to Metric. So no, it's not "new" it actually predates the Metric system. A lot of things, supposed "Americanisms" in speech and various aspects of our culture, like measurements, are older than what's currently being used in the UK and Europe.
2007-02-21 07:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The US didn't come up with the system it currently uses, rather, the British did. Yet, while the British have switched to the metric system, indeed a far superior measurement system, the US hasn't done so yet. The old reason used to be that due to the massive amounts of manufacturing equipment, retooling the whole industry would not be good for the economy. Consider that more manufacturing jobs are going to China, that may not be the case anymore.
2007-02-21 08:00:54 · answer #5 · answered by Wee Bit Naughty 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, the system most often used in the US is called "English measure" and was the system in use during the colonial period. The US didn't invent it, we inherited it from the British. The modern (metric) system was developed int the 19th century and gradually became the standard in Europe and elsewhere. But, although it's often used in the US, its never become popular.
2007-02-21 09:46:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually Americans use the original system. The metric system is fairly new on a historical basis.
2007-02-21 07:54:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about imperial and metric? Mainland Europe, the UK and the US all differ
2007-02-21 07:53:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We got our systems from England. It is not so long ago they changed to metric.
2007-02-21 07:54:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cause America rocks!
2007-02-21 08:53:04 · answer #10 · answered by *RockStar* 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋