Metric system,
A uniform decimal system of weights and measures, originated in
France with a committee of eminent scientists, named by the Academy of Sciences by order of the Constituent Assembly, May 8, 1790.
The basis of the system is the metre, which is 3.37 inches longer than the
American “yard.”
This base, determined by Delambre and Mechain, is the 1-40,000,000 part of the circumference of the earth on the meridian extending through
France from
Dunkirk to
Barcelona.
It was made the unit of length and the base of the system by law, April 7, 1795.
A prototype metre was constructed in platinum by an international commission, representing the governments of
France,
Holland,
Denmark,
Sweden,
Switzerland,
[
168]
Spain,
Savoy, and the
Roman, Cisalpine, and Ligurian republics, in 1799.
The unit of weight is the
gramme, the weight of a cubic centimetre of water at 4° centigrade (the temperature of greatest density). The unit of measure of surface is the
are, which is the square of the decametre, or 10 metres.
The unit of measure of capacity is the
stere, or cubic metre.
The system is now in use in the United States Marine Hospital service, in the foreign business of the post-office, in the
United States coast and geodetic survey, and to some extent in the mint,
United States signal service, and
United States census:
Decimal system of money adopted by the United States Congress, with the dollar as a unit | July 6, 1785 |
John Quincy Adams, United States Secretary of State, makes an elaborate report on the metric system to Congress | Feb. 23, 1821 |
By legislation of July 4, 1837, the use of the system in France is enforced, to take effect | Jan. 1, 1840 |
International Decimal Association formed | 1855 |
Canada adopts the decimal currency used in United States | Jan. 1, 1858 |
Metric weight of 5 grammes (77.16 grains) and diameter of 2 centimetres given to the 5-cent copper nickel piece in the United States by act of Congress | May 16, 1866 |
Use in the United States authorized by act of Congress, and table of equivalents approved | July 28, 1866 |
Convention establishing an international bureau of weights and measures signed at Paris by representatives of Austria, Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, United States, Argentine Republic, Brazil, and Peru | May 20, 1875 |
International congress on weights and measures meets at Paris | Sept. 4, 1878 |
Metric system.
Unit of the measure of length.
Metre = 39.37 inches.
Decametre | 10 | metres. |
Hectometre | 100 | metres. |
Kilometre | 1,000 | metres. |
Myriametre | 10,000 | metres. |
Decimetre | .1 metre. |
Centimetre | .01 | metres. |
Millimetre | .001 | metres. |
Unit of the measure of surface.
Centare = 1 sq. metre = 1,550 sq. inches.
Are | 100 centares. |
Hectare | 10,000 centares. |
Unit of the measure of capacity and solidity.
Litre = cube of .1 metre (decimetre) = 61.022 cubic inches or .908 qt.
Decalitre | 10 | litres. |
Hectolitre | 100 | litres. |
Kilolitre or stere | 1,000 | litres. |
Decilitre | .1 | litre. |
Centilitre | .01 | litres. |
Millilitre | .001 | litres. |
Unit of weight.
Gramme = cube of .01 metre (centimetre) =.061022 cubic inch or 15.432 grs.
Decagramme | 10 | grammes. |
Hectogramme | 100 | grammes. |
Kilogramme | 1,000 | grammes. |
Myriagramme | 10,000 | grammes. |
Quintal | 100,000 | grammes. |
Miller or Tonneau | 1,000,000 | grammes. |
Decigramme | .1 | gramme. |
Centigramme | .01 | grammes. |
Milligramme | .001 | grammes. |