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2002-09-20
Dear Sir,
I recently came across your webpage and would like to point out some things
in your introduction that I feel are in error.
Your statement;
The metric system originated in France in the 1790s, as an alternative to
the traditional English units of measurement. The new system was to standardise
the units of measurement as trade expanded throughout continental Europe.
Response:
This is not true. the metric system was not originally designed to
replace the "traditional English System". The Traditional English
System never existed in France. France, like every other country on Earth
had their own measurement systems. And like France, none of these
so-called systems were never standardised. Units could vary from region to
region within the same country and even units of the same name had different
values from town to town and even different parts of the town.
The new system was meant to end the hodge-podge and confusion by startling
over with something logical and simple. The system did spread throughout
Europe and also to colonies and former colonies of European countries.
Spanish speaking South America has been metric since the 1850's. Thus for
over 150 years metric has been more than just a European system.
Your Statement:
Although metrics have been used internationally in scientific fields for many years, the push to convert the world to exclusively using the metric system only began in the 1970s. and... As a result much confusion still exists. Now, more than ever, people need information on metrics in a form that relates directly to them in their personal and professional lives. Response: The term "metrics" has nothing to do with the Metric System or the International System of Units. That term (in the plural as you have written it) is defined as 1.) The science or art of writing in meter. 2.) Metrical characteristics and details (of a poem, etc.) and 3.) The theory of measurement. Your sentences should read: Although the Metric system has been..... and ....information on the Metric System in the form that..... Also, the conversions efforts in the 1970s was not to convert the whole world, but the ENGLISH Speaking world. For the most part the rest of the world had been slowly converting to metric since the 1850s and had been substantially converted by the 1970s. It was the English speaking world that was lagging and basically their time had come.
I feel you web page is very well done, but you need to be more clear on the points stated above. I hope I have been helpful to you in this respect.
Best regards,
John
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