Andy Ross wrote:
> Christian Mayer wrote: > > (Note: degrees are still valid as they are *internationally* well > > known. slugs aren't) > > Actually, there's a very good reason why we use a 360 degree circle. > This number has loads of small integer divisors. ...In the days before > calculators, this was really important. This same > logic is why we have 60 minutes per hour and 24 hours per day. IIRC, 360 degrees is Babylonian in origin. For some reason multiples of 12 and the number 360 was very important to them. The multiple integer relationships not being a bad thought about why. Twelve also shows up strongly as an important number not only for them, but, for those familiar with the Bible, the ancient Hebrews as well - possibly by association. For example, in Jewish numerology, 3 stands for God, 4 for Heaven and 12 (3 x 4) for God in Heaven. (Don't ask why - I haven't a clue.) Imperial units also have an interesting relationship to some of the units used by the Egyptians. They used a "foot" of very close to 300 mm (11.8 inches) and the cubit of 450 mm (17.7 inches). The Romans, for some reason changed the latter to 16. Lacking an "easy" to define base standard, the problem of uniform measurements was never solved until long after the French gave us the metric system based upon latitude. Finally, (under Napoleon ?) the French tried to reform the calendar and make that "metric" or "logical" as well. Even with the Committee for Public Safety available to enforce it, they couldn't get that system to catch on. Never underestimate the power of tradition. Regards, Charlie H. -- "C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot; C++ makes it harder, but when you do, it blows away your whole leg." - Bjarne Stroustrup _______________________________________________ Flightgear-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.flightgear.org/mailman/listinfo/flightgear-devel
