Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #lifevsartagain

Most recents (1)

Do you use Metric or Imperial measurements?

This week, after a lifetime of unwavering loyalty to Metric, I dug in - & now my mind’s blown. Now I get why folk cling to Imperial.

(And also why Napoleon was taller than he’s given credit for.)

Get comfy. It’s a long one.

(1/)
First, let’s call Metric what it was: a sensible act of revolutionary rationalism.

Europe before the French Revolution was a pig's ear of measurement systems: at least 250,000 (!) in France alone. Every region of every country used something a bit different.

Carnage.

(2/)
This new system, first proposed in 1790, would rely on unchanging laws of Nature, the kind that everyone could agree upon.

Good plan, right?

Yes and no. First they had to measure Nature with late 18thC technology - and that proved *maddeningly* hard.

(3/)
Read 31 tweets

Related hashtags

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!