Who Invented the Metric System (and Why It Isn’t As Perfect as You Think)
Meter? …or Metre?
Try CuriosityStream and learn something new today:
↓ More info and sources below ↓
Why is a meter a meter? The meter is the world’s ultimate measure, but how did it become “the” meter? What is this measurement based on? The story of this revolution in measurement traces its roots to the French Revolution. Scientists decided that an equal and united people should have equal and united measures. So they sent a pair of young astronomers out to measure the world, and invent the meter. Little did they know they’d find nothing but war, deception, and strife along the way. As a result of this ill-fated mission, the meter carries an error that still persists today. Still think the metric system is so perfect?
Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here:
-----------
LEARN MORE:
This episode would not have been possible without one incredible book: “The Measure of All Things” by Ken Alder.
There’s so much more to this story that we couldn’t fit in the video, and this book has it all. War, madness, deception, shame, spies, the dawn of the Enlightenment, the birth of modern economics, lots more beheadings… Highly recommended!
Amazon:
Public library:
MORE:
Interesting chronology of the meter:
Calculating the length of a meridian arc:
Williams, Jeffrey H. “Quantifying Measurement: The Tyranny of Numbers.” Morgan & Claypool Publishers, 2016
Murdin, Paul. “Full meridian of glory: perilous adventures in the competition to measure the Earth.” Springer Science & Business Media, 2008.
-----------
FOLLOW US:
Merch:
Facebook:
Twitter: @okaytobesmart @DrJoeHanson
Tumblr:
Instagram: @DrJoeHanson
-----------
It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D.
Director: Joe Nicolosi
Writer: Joe Hanson
Producer/editor/animator: Andrew Matthews
Producer: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox
Produced by PBS Digital Studios
Music via APM
Stock images from Shutterstock
1 view
828
256
5 months ago 00:11:49 1
Louis Vuitton Women’s Voyager Show | LOUIS VUITTON
5 months ago 01:23:53 1
Stalin, The Red Terror | Full Documentary
5 months ago 00:02:17 1
Megalopolis | First Look Clip
5 months ago 00:38:33 1
I Combined 10 Engines into 1 Monster 2-Stroke (1 Million Sub Edition)
5 months ago 00:10:33 1
Monocycle Mayhem: Epic Battles Unleashed | 12 Thrilling Laps on Spanish Asphalt | Electric Unicycles
5 months ago 00:11:35 1
Training Your Fascia System and Muscles for Ultimate Athletic Performance | David Weck
5 months ago 01:19:54 1
Climate: The Movie (The Cold Truth) Updated 4K version
5 months ago 00:03:37 1
Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World (Original Spoken Intro Version) ABC Records 1967, 1970
5 months ago 00:09:04 1
Saved by the Bell | Lexi, the Baddest Babe
5 months ago 00:37:03 1
Something Strange Happens When You Follow Einstein’s Math