----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 2:26
PM
Subject: [USMA:35940] Re: BBC
article
I think that part of the blame for the lack of
metrication in the UK and US must be laid at the feet of Henry VII and Henry
VIII. They, above all others, ensured that England and Wales
had a consistent system of weights and measures - this sytem
was later forced on the Irish, Scots and the colonies in North
America. The system worked well (much like the Ford Model T) so nobody
complained. In contrast, on the eve of the French Revolution, every
trader in France was on the make by using different sets of weights and
measures so that when the metric system was introduced the oppositon was not
very large. Similarly, when Germany was unified, they found that they
had a multitude of systems of weights and measures, so they chose the best one
that was available - the metric system.
The UK and the US are still driving their Ford
Model T and are unwilling to replace it with an up-to-date car because of the
cost of the new car, even though the new car's maintenance and fuel
consumption is much lower.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 2:20
PM
Subject: [USMA:35935] BBC article
Interesting article from the BBC, especially
the reader comments. It seems that both in the US and UK there are a
lot of people who value being different from the rest of the world just for
the sake of being different. There may be some strictly economic
arguments against euro-ization, but I have the feeling that many Brits just
want to stick with pounds (the money kind) and pounds--just because they are
British. It would be nice if we here in the US could stress how
advanced and innovative we are supposed to be by showing a willingness to
adapt, instead of trying to always be different from the rest of the world
in so many ways. Look at our miserable auto industry, for
instance.
HARRY
WYETH
