Digital BW, The Print

The bottom line, your average American can't make the change to a simple
system where a litre of water ways one kilogramme... :-)


> From: "xspamxken.schuster" <xspamxken.schuster@...>
> Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 12:27:16 -0400
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [Digital BW] OT - U.S vs. Europe paper sizes???
> 
> Paul, I share your frustration over metric measure, but don't blame "The US."
> The facts are: the US government mapping agency (USCGS) adopted France's meter
> and kilogram standards in the 1800s. In 1866, Congress authorized use of the
> metric system and supplied each state with a set of standard metric weights
> and 
> measures. In 1875, the US was one of the original signatory nations to the
> "Treaty of the Meter" (also known as the "Metric Convention," which
> established 
> the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, in France).
> 
> Unlike most of the world, the US system limits government regulation of
> private 
> industry. In 1975, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act "to coordinate
> and 
> plan the increasing use of the metric system in the United States." By law, it
> had to be voluntary for the private sector, and despite millions of dollars of
> government support, it was largely ignored, and was disestablished in 1982.
> However, since that same year, Federal agencies have been required, with
> certain 
> exceptions, to use the metric system in procurement, grants and other
> business-related activities. The US military, for example, has been 100%
> metric 
> for decades.
> 
> The official US Government position
> (http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/200/202/lc1136a.htm ) is: "...the
> competitiveness 
> of American products and services in world markets, will be enhanced by
> completing the change to the metric system of units. Failure to complete the
> change will increasingly handicap the Nation's industry and economy."
> 
> In short, the US Government has championed the Metric System for almost 200
> years, and has mandated its internal use for the past 22 years, but can not
> require it of the private sector. We consumers, have to pressure US industry.