Hybrids, old and new

Posted on 2019-03-12 by Ramsden

We have come across two examples of hybrid measures, and speculate if these might help in those countries struggling with the transition from old to new measures.

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Posted in Consumer affairs, General, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

How British metallurgists helped to make the first international kilogram

Posted on 2018-12-08 by Ramsden

We reported a few weeks ago on the redefinition of the kilogram. In this article, Martin Vlietstra, one of our regular contributors, outlines Britain’s contribution to the creation of the prototype kilogram upon which the definition had relied since 1889.

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Posted in General, History, Science, Technical | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Think metric – don’t convert

Posted on 2018-11-29 by ronniec

The editor remembers this slogan from his time in the UK construction industry in the early 1970’s. Almost half a century later, Ronnie Cohen gives real-world examples of metric quantities that may help those who are not as familiar with metric units as they might wish.

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Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

The kilogram rejuvenated

Posted on 2018-11-16 by Ramsden

For readers who may have missed the news from Versailles amidst the current Brexit hullabaloo, we pass on a link to an article published by the BBC. This  explains in laymen’s terms the long-awaited redefinition of the SI base unit of mass.

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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Is perfect the enemy of good?

Posted on 2018-11-10 by Ramsden

Recent experience in France and Greece and a comment last week by Charlie P on this site has prompted us to ask if it would be better if supporters of metric measures were less pedantic.

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Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, Media | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

The new £50 note

Posted on 2018-11-02 by Ramsden

It was announced today that the new polymer £50 note will celebrate the UK’s achievements in science, and will feature a prominent British scientist. Nominations from the public are invited.

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Posted in Consumer affairs, Science | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Imperial echoes in GBBO

Posted on 2018-10-31 by Ramsden

A headline in The Independent caused us cause for concern, if only briefly.

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Posted in Media, Recipes | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Two kinds of country?

Posted on 2018-10-16 by Ramsden

We return after a break with a short article from one of our supporters about a recent film release Continue reading →

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Posted in History, Myths, Science | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Read it before?

Posted on 2018-09-21 by Ramsden

Ronnie Cohen, one of our regular contributors, compliments the UK Department for Transport (DfT) on its policy for dealing with enquiries relating to the oft-postponed metric changeover.

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Posted in Road signs | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

43 years late

Posted on 2018-08-31 by Ramsden

One of the editors of Metric Views has been reading a book entitled “Eleven minutes late” by Matthew Engel. The book is subtitled “A train journey into the soul of Britain”, and may provide a clue to why the UK is taking so long to adopt fully a modern measurement system.

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Posted in General, History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments