Why is the USA not metric?

Question

Why has the USA not implemented the metric system yet?
It is the last country in the World still using the imperial system.
(Even the Moon has been declared metric by the Nasa).

Answer 1

It's an economic decision. It has nothing to do with stubbornness or education and everything to do with industry and commerce. Simply put: the cost to make the switch would be more than the present value of all the savings you would get in the future by making the switch. If we could just wave a magic wand and make all our equipment and machinery magically convert, we would certainly do it. Nobody can argue that metric isn't better. But it isn't that easy. It would cost money to change, and the return on investment just isn't enough.

Answer 2

We were leaning the metric system when I was in elementary school back in the early '70's. I figured by the time I was an adult we would have converted over to the system completely, but that has not happened.

It's like it's not a priority anymore or something. The urgency has gone and nobody seems to care anymore.

Answer 3

Metric is a MUCH easier system to use, however, there are a LOT of stubborn people -- and ignorant people -- in the USA who have learned one system and who don't want to put in the time and effort to learn something different.

Imagine if someone came up with a keyboard that was more logical, and easier to use than the QWERTY keyboard. How long would it take you to want to give up what you know to switch over, knowing that you would have to learn BOTH systems because not everyone else has made the switch?

Answer 4

In many ways the US is metric. I am an electrical engineer by training. I use metric units all day. I have to switch to "English" units when I walk out the door of my company. The roads, weather, and building construction are in traditional units. Even there it is changing. Our cars use metric fasteners. hinges are now frequently metric (see Euro hinges).

Answer 5

The switch to metric is something that as a whole, the people are not willing to make. It would change everything in our lives from the amount of milk we buy at the store to gas and distances, temepture. However, most younger American's know metric too, it is taught in all schools. One day as the population shifts to the next generation the public will probably be ready to switch systems.

Answer 6

I wish it were. I've been doing stuff in metric so long inches and feet and miles confuse me now.

Metric makes so much more sense. And you don't have to bust out a calculator every time you need to convert.

Answer 7

Metric is easier for nasa because it makes the calculations simpler and more intuitive.

The USA is the only country still using miles because we're the only country with Chuck Norris.

Answer 8

Because of the outdated education system within the US... if kids were raised to learn the metric it would no longer be a matter of if but when, the complete conversion would take place.

Answer 9

it is pure bussines. I live in Italy for many years. After coming back to the States. I was awared that tool making companies pay to the National Consumer Affairs to maintain our metric system, including LBS, YARDS, INCHES ETC.....It is just like the light bulb company pays inventor to not roll out a " never burn light bulb" otherwise they will be out of bussines.

Answer 10

It shows how people in the USA still think we are John Wayne and that the rest of the world are not real cowboys. We think we still set the trends. We have lose our egos and realize that there is only one number system,,, for the sake of the future of the Earth.