How decimalisation succeeded while metrication stalled

The media like nothing better than an anniversary, so it was predictable that the 40th anniversary of “decimal day” – 15 February 1971, when the UK finally gave up its archaic and inconvenient coinage and currency – would get a good airing.  Some commentators have even recalled that decimalisation was originally supposed to be complementary to metrication, with both operating to roughly the same timetable.  So, it is interesting to compare the slick and successful operation to decimalise our currency with the incompetent bungling of metrication.

Continue reading “How decimalisation succeeded while metrication stalled”

An ‘el’ of a standard

The powers that be of the metric system are wrestling with the problem of defining the kilogram independently of an actual physical object (i.e. the very slowly degrading cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy kept at Sèvres, near Paris, known as “the international prototype of the kilogram”). Meanwhile, they are neglecting a longstanding question that urgently cries out for a solution. [Article contributed by Martin Clutterbuck].

Continue reading “An ‘el’ of a standard”

Did “Victorian values” block metrication?

What is it about the British that makes it so difficult to implement a simple, obvious and necessary reform – the adoption of a single, rational system of measurement, used by everybody for all purposes?  A newly published dissertation attempts some answers to this question.

Continue reading “Did “Victorian values” block metrication?”

Ministers refuse to update obsolete HGV speed limits

Metric Views can reveal that Government ministers have quietly wound up all efforts to align motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and HGVs with the settings of their respective vehicle speed limiters.

Continue reading “Ministers refuse to update obsolete HGV speed limits”

Bizarre 2/3 pint proposal to go ahead

Despite widespread ridicule, the Government has persisted with the previous Government’s barmy proposal to introduce a 2/3 pint measure for draught beer and cider.  Under the pretence of  “removing unnecessary red tape”, it has actually resisted calls for genuine deregulation.

Continue reading “Bizarre 2/3 pint proposal to go ahead”

Does the failure of the English World Cup bid have any lessons for supporters of completing metrication?

What on earth has the football World Cup got to do with metrication?  Nothing, you might say…but…on reflection, is there a connection?

Continue reading “Does the failure of the English World Cup bid have any lessons for supporters of completing metrication?”

Snow calculations made simple, or not

One of our readers, John Frewen-Lord, has been housebound for four days by the recent heavy snow falls – about 60 cm deep in his area. This has prompted him to provide an illustration of the comparative simplicity of calculating snow loads in metric units.

Continue reading “Snow calculations made simple, or not”

“Half of that mince, please”

Two brief anecdotes illustrate the difficulties still being experienced by customers because neither the Government nor “consumer advocates” will try to help them adapt to metric units in the supermarket.

Continue reading ““Half of that mince, please””

Parts of the knowledge economy hit the buffers in South America

It has been said that Britain is becoming a knowledge economy, and also that metal bashing can now be safely left to the low-wage economies of the Far East. If only it were that simple. Consider the railway industry …

Continue reading “Parts of the knowledge economy hit the buffers in South America”

‘Optimism bias’ falls from favour

In November 2005, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) produced an estimate of the cost of converting road traffic signs for speed and distance measurements to metric units. Optimism bias accounted for between 26% and 33% of the total overall cost. Now, the usefulness of optimism bias is being questioned.

Continue reading “‘Optimism bias’ falls from favour”