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Category Archives: History
Early parliamentary debates on metrication
Hansard provides many insights about the ideals of and the prevailing attitudes to metrication. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see where the actual course of events has fallen short of those ideals and the mistakes that got us … Continue reading
Posted in History, Law
Tagged attitudes, debates, Hansard, ideals, metrication, metrication policy, UK Metrication Board
8 Comments
The “traditional” pint
It seems it will be a while before we are able to return to the pub and enjoy our favourite tipple while socialising with our friends. In the mean time, Metric Views points to a paradox that some may wish … Continue reading
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History, Law, Myths
Tagged beer, imperial measures, litre, pint
23 Comments
1819 – a massacre and a missed opportunity
This article looks at the first report of the Commissioners appointed early in the nineteenth century to consider weights and measures. It gives examples of the reasons why the Commission was appointed, comments on some of its recommendations, and then speculates on an alternative … Continue reading
Posted in General, History, Science
Tagged measurement units, metric, muddle, UK Parliament, USA, USC, weights and measures
1 Comment
Watch “Decimalisation (1970)” on YouTube
Our last article, on the subject of the decimal currency changeover in 1971, attracted several comments from our readers, one of which drew to attention to a film relating to the event. For technical reasons, it is not possible to post this … Continue reading
Not a blunder
We take a look at the changeover to decimal currency which occurred almost 50 years ago, and ask if there are any lessons to be learned that will help resolve the UK’s current measurement muddle. Likes(7)Dislikes(0)
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History
Tagged blunder, decimal currency, decimalisation, Government policy, metric measures, metrication
7 Comments
Email correspondence from the archives
Ronnie Cohen draws attention to an exchange of e-mails between a visitor to the UKMA web site and himself, on behalf of the UKMA Committee. Likes(14)Dislikes(1)
Posted in General, History, Myths, Science
Tagged measurement, measurement units, metric
10 Comments
Leading us to the 18th century
Martin Vlietstra, one of our regular contributors, offers his thoughts on an early pronouncement by the newly-appointed Leader of the House of Commons. Likes(24)Dislikes(4)
The kilogram weight
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(20)Dislikes(2)
Posted in History, Science, Technical
Tagged International prototype kilogram, kilogram, Metre Convention
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How British metallurgists helped to make the first international kilogram
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?
We return after a break with a short article from one of our supporters about a recent film release Likes(28)Dislikes(3)
Posted in History, Myths, Science
Tagged Apollo moon landings, measurement units, metric, Neil Armstrong
18 Comments