World in the Balance: The Historic Quest for an Absolute System of Measurement
Language: English
Published by W. W. Norton and Company, 2011
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Chapter 1, Johannesburg, GAU, South AfricaChapter 1
AbeBooks seller since March 29, 2004
Condition: Used - Very good
US$ 9.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
The jacket and boards are edge rubbed with light creasing along the edges. The binding is secure. No ink inscriptions or annotations. Protected in cellophane. Extra postage required unless posted within South Africa. JHK. Our orders are shipped using tracked courier delivery services.
Seller Inventory # j7ju
- Title
- World in the Balance: The Historic Quest for an Absolute System of Measurement
- Author
- Crease, Robert P.
- Publisher
- W. W. Norton and Company
- Publication year
- 2011
- Condition
- Very Good
- Dust jacket
- Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0393072983
- ISBN 13
- 9780393072983
- Edition
- First Edition.
- Item weight
- 21 ounces
- Dimensions
- 6x1x9
The epic story of the invention of a global network of weights, scales, and instruments for measurement.
Millions of transactions each day depend on a reliable network of weights and measures. This network has been called a greater invention than the steam engine, comparable only to the development of the printing press.Robert P. Crease traces the evolution of this international system from the use of flutes to measure distance in the dynasties of ancient China and figurines to weigh gold in West Africa to the creation of the French metric and British imperial systems. The former prevailed, with the United States one of three holdout nations. Into this captivating history Crease weaves stories of colorful individuals, including Thomas Jefferson, an advocate of the metric system, and American philosopher Charles S. Peirce, the first to tie the meter to the wavelength of light. Tracing the dynamic struggle for ultimate precision, World in the Balance demonstrates that measurement is both stranger and more integral to our lives than we ever suspected. 35 black-and-white illustrations
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Chapter 1
Johannesburg, GAU, South Africa
AbeBooks seller since March 29, 2004
Shipping rates from South Africa to U.S.A.
| Item | 10 to 15 business days | 5 to 10 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 28.13 | US$ 33.76 |
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Chapter 1 trades out of three premises that are all in the Johannesburg area. Our emphasis is providing quality books at highly competitive prices. A large (and continuously growing) selection of our books are listed on various websites on the internet. We post on a daily basis to all parts of the world. All our books are parcelled in tissue paper, bubble wrap, card board and strong brown paper. If the book has a dust jacket it is provided with a protective cellophane sleeve. We supply a tracking number on every parcel that we post. We specialise in Modern First Editions, Rhodesiana, Africana and other rare and out of print books. We are always looking to buy interesting and unusual books and libraries in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We are prepared to travel within the greater Johannesburg and Cape Town area if the quantity warrants it.…
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Rhodesiana, other rare books on AfricaSeller's business information
Chapter 1
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