On 03/15/2007 03:58:14 PM, Mark Fraser wrote:
In article <45F99417.30301@xxxxxxxxx>, Les Mikesell <lesmikesell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Dotan Cohen wrote: > > > > All American measurements are of these unusual division. The inch > > itself is 1/12 foot, which is 1/5280 of a mile. Maybe not arbitrary, > > but not very intuitive. That would be the American units that were originally called Imperial units? I do know some American units are different to those in the UK such as the Gallon. > Not to defend the US units, but hasn't the meter been redefined at least > 3 times? Which of the choices was a unit that relates to something > intuitive to a human? BTW it's Metre.
Opinion here. The various variations of the English units (Imperial, American, foot-pound-second, what have you) are the result of historic time depositing layers of arbitrary, if usefully sized, units with various periods of correction and whatnot. At one point the inch was something like 3 barley grains laid end to end. I'm guessing that got adjusted somehow with the foot at some point when it became important enough.
Historically I understand that there have been dozens of various quarts, pints, and gallons; each different, which could vary over the space of 50 to 100 miles (admittedly a reasonable distance in Europe at one time, not so much now). Lets not get into measurements like tons weight and tons displacement, my head hurts enough long before then.
