2003-02-13 Even though this appeared in a 1913 dictionary, more then 100 years after metrication, the values chosen for the different countries must be based on pre-metric definitions. Since each country had multiple definitions for their miles depending on the local area, the definitions below must have been for the capital city. I find it interesting that Poland is mentioned. Poland ceased to exist in 1795 and did not re-emerge until 1919.
They also list Brunswick (actually Braunschweig) and Prussia as countries, when they were unified along with all of the other German states in 1871. I guess if Webster couldn't spell correctly, we can't expect his dictionary to have metric data correct. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terry Simpson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, 2003-02-13 08:27 Subject: [USMA:24833] different miles > Quote from usenet: > > > > >From Webster's 1913: "The distance called a mile varies greatly in > >different countries. Its length in yards is... > > > > * Austria, 8,297 yards > > * Brunswick, 11,816 yards > > * England and the United States, 1,760 yards > > * Hungary, 9,139 yards > > * Italy, 2,025 yards > > * Netherlands, 1,094 yards > > * Norway, 12,182 yards > > * Poland, 8,100 yards > > * Prussia, 8,238 yards > > * Spain, 1,552 yards > > * Sweden, 11,660 yards > > * Switzerland, 8,548 yards > > -- > Terry Simpson > Human Factors Consultant > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > www.connected-systems.com > Phone: +44 7850 511794 > > > >
