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Re: [Phys-l] Will the US ever switch to the metric system?



I'm curious if anyone has ever done a study on what it would cost to "retool" all of the machinery in the US that is calibrated in English units.

Bill

On Jan 12, 2011, at 6:52 PM, Andrew Duffy wrote:


Having grown up in Canada, I remember the Gimli Glider incident - tremendous piloting, to be sure. I am so fond of that story and the Mars Climate Orbiter story that I reference them both in an intro. physics book I wrote (but that's a whole other story).

The Gimli Glider happened during the time Canada was switching from English units to the metric system - that was a huge factor in not filling the plane with enough fuel.

So, do you think the US will ever give up the English system of units? How many other countries, if any, are also still using the English system? Converting the country to the metric system could be an economic stimulus package all by itself, don't you think? All those new road signs, etc. etc....

Anyone know John Boehner well enough to propose the idea?

- Andrew Duffy
Department of Physics
Boston University


Stefan Jeglinski said:

Ran across the story of the Gimli Glider, which in part seems at
least as impressive as the USAir flight that ditched in the Hudson.
Had never heard of it, due in part to changes in media coverage but
also how much I was really paying attn 27 years ago.

Came across the story after reading the story of the Mars Climate
Orbiter and its demise due to a similar variant.

Good time, at the beginning of the semester, to remind students of
the real-world ramifications (money + lives) of units and their
conversion!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter


Stefan Jeglinski

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