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Category Archives: History
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(8)Dislikes(0)
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(23)Dislikes(3)
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(26)Dislikes(2)
Posted in History, Myths, Science
Tagged Apollo moon landings, measurement units, metric, Neil Armstrong
13 Comments
43 years late
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?
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(31)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?
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(31)Dislikes(1)
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, History, Science
Tagged electricity prices, energy, gas prices, joule, kWh, therm
1 Comment
Metric Underground
We note the latest contract for the renewal of London Transport’s Underground fleet. Likes(23)Dislikes(2)
Posted in General, History, Technical, Transport
Tagged London Underground, Piccadilly Line, Siemens, trains
2 Comments
Liberia joins the club
We comment on reports that Liberia intends to adopt the metric system. Likes(26)Dislikes(0)
Posted in General, History, Views from abroad
Tagged Liberia, measurement, measurement units, metric, metrication, USC
5 Comments