[USMA:22632] Barley Corns,

[John Nichols]

Dear Brij,

When you are teaching someone that they are using a less than a logical system it helps to use some of the terms that were common until recently. The point is to show that they really do not know as much as they think they know.

So the barley corn is noted in one of my engineering texts as one third of an inch. A common unit up until WW2, but fallen from favour after that. Why one third? I have no idea, why are reinforcing bars sizes in the USA measured in one eight of an inch?

So I teach American architects and construction science students, I start in class using a stone as the unit of weight/force (14 lbs, which is the common weight measurement that used to be used in Oz in casual conversation. It was still being used when I was in Oz in June.) I use the link and chain as the unit of measurement. Then I explain that the metric system is much easier and why. If it is done with humour you can usually make a good point.

I know my weight in stone, but not metric even though I first started in metric in 1972 at school.

And yes it was an advertisement. I was merely pointing out the use of metric lengths but the stubborn hold to the unit of pressure. It will die slowly, but using humour will hasten the death.

And so I go back to my work.

John Nichols BE, Ph.D. (Newcastle), MIE (Aust)
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University
Department of Construction Science
Langford AC
Rm: A414 MD 3137
College Station, TX 77843-3137

Electronic mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Telephone: 979 845 6541
Facsimile: 979 862 1572
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Magna res est vocis et silentii temperamentum

The greatest thing is to know when to speak
and when to keep quiet
Seneca the Younger (attributed)
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