Inches and pounds are indeed legally defined by the prototype kilogram, as described by this article here: English units of weight (ounces, pounds, and tons) are now also derived from the metric standard of mass, which is the international prototype kilogram. This is a solid cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy maintained at constant temperature at Sèvres near Paris. A copy, as exact as possible, of this standard is maintained by an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce "Weights and Measures," Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 98 Encyclopedia. (c) 1993-1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Regards, Steve. [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph B. Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2001 3:10 AM Subject: [USMA:14552] Re: poetry of WOMBAT measurement (was SUV item) > Paul Trusten wrote in USMA 14548: > > The United States has no SI measurement standard, > >much less an SI measurement folklore. > > > The US received a prototype meter and a prototype kilogram in 1895, if I > remember correctly. The inch/pound units are legaly defined in terms of > those prototypes. > > Joseph B. Reid > 17 Glebe Road West > Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071 >
