Author Archives: Ramsden

The Curiosity rover makes a curious discovery

Posted on 2018-04-01 by Ramsden

We take a look at a little-reported discovery made by NASA’s rover during its 2000 days on Mars. Likes(32)Dislikes(3)

Posted in Science, Uncategorized | Tagged Curiosity rover, Mars, Martian, measurement, measurements | 4 Comments

A storm in a champagne glass

Posted on 2018-03-09 by Ramsden

We look into the recent story that appeared on BBC TV about the possibility of champagne becoming available again in the UK in pint bottles. Likes(47)Dislikes(22)

Posted in Consumer affairs, General, Law | Tagged bottle, champagne, half bottle, magnum, pint | 6 Comments

Olympics – metric in Winter too

Posted on 2018-02-23 by Ramsden

The Department for Transport has always maintained that the measurement system used on road traffic signs can be considered in isolation from the UK, European and global economies. The Winter Olympics in Korea, now drawing to a close, provide us … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Road signs, Sport | Tagged DfT, imperial road signs, metric, metrication, Winter Olympics | 3 Comments

A wrong turning that led British Leyland to a dead end

Posted on 2018-02-15 by Ramsden

We reprint an article that was first published ten years ago and illustrates the risks of using a mix of metric and Imperial measures. Likes(35)Dislikes(34)

Posted in History, Technical, Transport | Tagged dual-unit, imperial, Leyland National Bus, metric, metrication | 10 Comments

Metric in Myanmar – an update

Posted on 2018-02-08 by Ramsden

In this article, we put together some reports regarding measurements used in Myanmar, which is often said, misleadingly, to be one of the three “non-metric” countries in the world. Likes(43)Dislikes(36)

Posted in General, Views from abroad | Tagged Burma, conversion, metric, Myanmar, road traffic signs, speed limits | 8 Comments

Then and now

Posted on 2018-02-02 by Ramsden

We take a look at a film from 1973 made with the aim introducing the metric system to the general public. Likes(42)Dislikes(47)

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, History | Tagged "Simply Metric", metric, metrication, muddle, UK, UK Metrication Board | 7 Comments

Acres made easy

Posted on 2018-01-27 by Ramsden

We look ahead to the 400th anniversary of an innovation that simplified the measurement of land area, initially in England and later in the UK, by introducing decimals. Likes(38)Dislikes(44)

Posted in General, History, Technical | Tagged acre, decimal, Gunter's chain, imperial measures, metric | 11 Comments

Alpine DIY and the generation gap

Posted on 2018-01-12 by Ramsden

Happy New Year to all our readers. In this article, the Editor explains the reason for the absence of new posts on MV in recent weeks. This leads to a discussion of a issue that few of us, perhaps, have … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, History, Views from abroad | Tagged cm, DIY, France, French, measurement units, metric, Metric Sense, metrication, mm | 7 Comments

Autumn watched

Posted on 2017-10-26 by Ramsden

UKMA has received a message from a viewer of BBC’s ‘Autumn Watch’. This article includes the message and the response. Likes(44)Dislikes(7)

Posted in Education, General, Media, Myths, Science | Tagged Autumn Watch, BBC, EU, imperial measures, measurement units, metric, units, USA | 13 Comments

The American Influence on Canada’s Metrication

Posted on 2017-05-18 by Ramsden

John Frewen-Lord, a frequent contributor to Metric Views, has just returned from one of his regular trips to Canada. He gives us his thoughts. Likes(22)Dislikes(1)

Posted in Consumer affairs, History, Views from abroad | Tagged Canada, metric, metrication, UK USA metric USC imperial, USA, USC | 5 Comments