[USMA:27156] RE: Imperial gallon

[Phil Chernack]

John, The U.S. has never used Imperial measures for volume.  The U.S. gallon is 231 cu. in. and was set as the standard prior to Great Britian choosing the current Imperial gallon (sometime in the 1830s).  The U.S. gallon is the Queen Anne or Wine gallon while the British gallon is the Winchester gallon.  Keep in mind, the system used in the U.S. is commonly referred to as the "U.S. Customary System", not Imperial.  Interestingly, the government does not even have an official name for it.  Both the states and the federal government refer only to SI as a system (metric system of measurement) and the others as "measures that are in customary use".  Another interesting fact is that U.S. law describes the "metric system" as that of the International System of Units as interpreted or modified for use in the U.S. by the Secretary of Commerce.  This interpretation is basically the same as the BIPM definintion in Revision 7 with English modifications to the tonne (metric ton) and the spelling of meter, liter and gram.   As for Canada not using the gallon since the 80s, I bet you can still go to a bar or pub and get a pint (imperial).  Here in the U.S., I tell my friends they are getting ripped off if they think it's the same as in England.  I'd rather have a "half liter".   I have no idea how products are labeled to go to Mexico.  My guess is that they are dual labeled in metric and customary.   Hope I answered your question, Phil  -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of john mercer Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 1:57 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:27151] Imperial gallon Could someone tell me if the U S ever used the imperial Gallon?  Where did the U S gallon come from?  In Canada we haven't used the gallon since around the early eighty's.  I have another question.  When the U S exports goods to Mexico do they export the goods in metric or imperial?  Thanks for all your help.  I would like to say again I really apreciate all the help I get from this site, and all the neat people on it.