Category Archives: History

The kilogram weight

Posted on 2019-05-03 by Ramsden

The redefinition of the kilogram takes effect in two weeks time. To mark the event, Martin Vlietstra, one of our frequent contributors, looks at the “old” and “new” versions of this international standard. Likes(18)Dislikes(2)

Posted in History, Science, Technical | Tagged International prototype kilogram, kilogram, Metre Convention | Leave a comment

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. … Continue reading →

Posted in General, History, Science, Technical | Tagged International prototype kilogram, IPK, Johnson Matthey & Co | 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 Likes(24)Dislikes(2)

Posted in History, Myths, Science | Tagged Apollo moon landings, measurement units, metric, Neil Armstrong | 13 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in General, History | Tagged beer, British, cricket, global Britain, metric, misty-eyed nostalgia, railways, UK Metrication Board | 10 Comments

Isolationist or Imperialist?

Posted on 2018-07-05 by ronniec

On the eve of a showdown Cabinet meeting on Brexit, one of our frequent contributors, Ronnie Cohen, asks if British attitudes both to the EU and to this country’s metric changeover are part of the same mindset. Likes(30)Dislikes(0)

Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History, Technical, Views from abroad | Tagged cakeism, EEC, EU, imperial, isolationist, metric | 9 Comments

Energy units – muddle in the making?

Posted on 2018-06-30 by Ramsden

It was decided early in the 1990s that the unit for pricing of domestic gas should change from the therm to the kilowatt hour, which is a metric unit but not SI. We ask if this made ‘metric sense’. Likes(29)Dislikes(1)

Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History, Science | Tagged electricity prices, energy, gas prices, joule, kWh, therm | 1 Comment

Metric Underground

Posted on 2018-06-22 by Ramsden

We note the latest contract for the renewal of London Transport’s Underground fleet. Likes(22)Dislikes(2)

Posted in General, History, Technical, Transport | Tagged London Underground, Piccadilly Line, Siemens, trains | 2 Comments

Liberia joins the club

Posted on 2018-05-31 by Ramsden

We comment on reports that Liberia intends to adopt the metric system. Likes(24)Dislikes(0)

Posted in General, History, Views from abroad | Tagged Liberia, measurement, measurement units, metric, metrication, USC | 5 Comments

Metric vs Imperial. Which?

Posted on 2018-04-04 by Ramsden

We comment on a letter and the reply recently published in Which?, the magazine of the Consumers Association. Likes(54)Dislikes(4)

Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History, Technical | Tagged CRT, inches, metric, screen size, smartphone, TV | 1 Comment

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(47)Dislikes(34)

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