A clear, detailed history of America's long debate over the metric system. This book tracks the rise, fall, and revival of metric ideas in the United States, showing how policy, industry, and public opinion shaped the search for measurement uniformity.
This edition compiles a wide survey of historical data, official reports, and dramatic hearings that framed the metric question from the 19th century onward. It presents the arguments for and against change, the key players, and the evolving views that influenced Congress and the public.
- Follow the main threads of the U.S. metric controversy across decades and presidencies
- Learn how measurement units, standards, and systems interact in public policy
- See the role of industry, science, and government in shaping standards
- Understand the arguments, debates, and turning points that kept the issue alive
Ideal for readers curious about how nations decide what counts as a standard, and how historical debates influence modern policy.