The mil (= 0.001 inch) was widely used in metal working and finishing in the USA in the 20th century and is still found in working specifications. Most micrometers (the gages) can measure mils. My impression is that the micrometer (the unit) has been more widely used than the mil since the 1980s, when Japan overtook the USA in production of tool steel.
From: Carleton MacDonald <[email protected]> Reply-To: <[email protected]> Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:53:59 -0400 To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> Subject: [USMA:47904] Re: The metric system or what? I had to write an internal memo for our employees. We are changing to a new style of ticket that is of a different color and thinner. I was told that the old ticket was ³7 mils² and the new ticket is ³5 mils². A ³mil² is a unit used in the US printing industry, and it means 0.001 inch. In the memo, thanks to Pat, I described the ³mil² as an ³old pre-metric unit² and told people ³do not confuse it with the worldwide standard SI/metric unit millimeter¹.² There will be one employee in the other building whose politics are somewhat to the right of Glenn Beck who will send me a nastygram about that. (We are good friends, otherwise.) The battle continues. Carleton From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert H. Bushnell Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 18:10 To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: USMA Subject: [USMA:47895] Re: The metric system or what? I will stay with "inch-pound". It is not expected to be "complete" but it is clear enough to get the subject started. If somebody asks "is Btu included?" I say yes and I know the whole of measurement units is being talked about. Good enough. Robert Bushnell ----------------------------------------
