Archive for August, 2007

Why are photo paper sizes imperial?

Tuesday, August 28th, 2007

A correspondent recently complained that a university quoted photographic paper sizes to him in imperial units. This reminded me of an unpleasant discovery I made some years ago.

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Canada shows how it can be done.

Sunday, August 12th, 2007

John Frewen-Lord has passed on a link which illustrates the UK’s increasing isolation from other Commonwealth countries in the matter of measurement. And if Toronto, facing New York State across Lake Ontario, can nevertheless escape US influence, then why can’t we?

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Pounds and ounces baffle top students

Tuesday, August 7th, 2007

In last night’s “University Challenge” (BBC2) between St Cross College, Oxford and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, the following question came up …

[Article by Martin Ward]

“Imperial measures. How many ounces in two and a half pounds?”

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