Key takeaways:
- The United States' lack of metric system adoption may be linked to an 18th-century pirate encounter.
- Thomas Jefferson advocated for the metric system early in America's history, seeking a standardized system to facilitate interstate commerce.
- French scientist Joseph Dombey was tasked with bringing a standard kilogram to the U.S. but was captured by pirates, leading to a missed opportunity for early metric system adoption.
- Despite subsequent attempts, including acts in 1866, 1875, 1893, 1975, and beyond, the U.S. has not fully transitioned to the metric system.
- The kilogram has been redefined multiple times, with a new definition expected to be based on a fundamental constant in nature.
The Quest for a Standard Measuring System in the U.S. #
- The U.S. needed a standardized measuring system post-independence due to the varying systems used across states.
- Thomas Jefferson, as Secretary of State, recognized the potential of the French metric system for America.
The Pirate Encounter and the Lost Kilogram #
- Joseph Dombey was sent by France with a 1-kilogram standard, but his ship was blown off course by a storm and he was captured by British privateers in the Caribbean.
- Dombey died in captivity, and his metric standards, including the kilogram, were auctioned off with the ship's contents.
The Kilogram's Journey to America #
- The kilogram eventually found its way to American land surveyor Andrew Ellicott and remained in his family until 1952.
- The artifact was donated to the precursor of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Evolution of the Kilogram #
- The kilogram's definition has evolved, with the modern kilogram being a platinum-iridium artifact stored in France.
- Plans to redefine the kilogram based on a fundamental constant in nature are underway.
America's Flirtation with the Metric System #
- Various acts and conventions have attempted to integrate the metric system into American life, including:
- The Metric Conversion Act of 1975, which declared the metric system as the preferred system for U.S. trade and commerce.
- The Omnibus Foreign Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and subsequent legislation aimed to promote the metric system's routine use.
- Despite these efforts, the U.S. remains one of the few countries not to have adopted the metric system as its official system of measurement.
The Current State of Metrication in the U.S. #
- The U.S. continues to use imperial units alongside metric units, with no immediate prospect of a full transition to the metric system.
- Cultural and practical barriers have hindered the adoption of the metric system in the United States.
"It seems like there was a missed opportunity there." - Keith Martin, National Institute of Standards and Technology
This summary encapsulates the key points of the NPR article regarding the historical context of America's reluctance to adopt the metric system, highlighting the unique role that pirates played in this narrative. It also provides an overview of the efforts made to introduce the metric system to the U.S. and the current status of metrication in the country.