Comments on: A snapshot from planet USA http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2008/04/22/usa-metric-snapshot/ Commentary on the measurement muddle in the UK Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:40:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Ezra Steinberg http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2008/04/22/usa-metric-snapshot/#comment-12386 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:30:47 +0000 http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2008/04/22/usa-metric-snapshot/#comment-12386 Tony Wilson correctly concludes his article with the observation that it's just a matter (in the UK) of finishing the job of metrication. Whoever manages to convince the DfT to allow gradual placement of metric road signs in place of the existing Imperial ones (even if they have Imperial overlays for the time being) will have struck the "coup de grace" to the Imperial set of weights and measures in the UK. (And as Hamlet would likely respond: "Aye! There's the rub!") Tony Wilson correctly concludes his article with the observation that it’s just a matter (in the UK) of finishing the job of metrication. Whoever manages to convince the DfT to allow gradual placement of metric road signs in place of the existing Imperial ones (even if they have Imperial overlays for the time being) will have struck the “coup de grace” to the Imperial set of weights and measures in the UK. (And as Hamlet would likely respond: “Aye! There’s the rub!”)

]]> by: Alex Bailey http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2008/04/22/usa-metric-snapshot/#comment-12372 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:27:04 +0000 http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2008/04/22/usa-metric-snapshot/#comment-12372 I am also a regular visitor to the USA and share many of these experiences and have also been lucky enough to see some of the metric road signs in California (and even have some photos!!!). I've also spent some time on both sides of the US/Canada border and recall seeing a number of helpful road signs on the US side explaining differences in speed limits but clearly Canadians are expected to figure the rest out for themselves. One or two good experiences though, I seem to recall the Kennedy Space Center giving some information in metric several years ago but I have vivid recollection of the pre-recorded commentary on a helicopter trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon which game ALL heights, distances and speeds in metric alongside their "customary" equivalents! I am also a regular visitor to the USA and share many of these experiences and have also been lucky enough to see some of the metric road signs in California (and even have some photos!!!).

I’ve also spent some time on both sides of the US/Canada border and recall seeing a number of helpful road signs on the US side explaining differences in speed limits but clearly Canadians are expected to figure the rest out for themselves.

One or two good experiences though, I seem to recall the Kennedy Space Center giving some information in metric several years ago but I have vivid recollection of the pre-recorded commentary on a helicopter trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon which game ALL heights, distances and speeds in metric alongside their “customary” equivalents!

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