BETA
Chapter 1
The pirate attack on metric standards
Chapter 2
The Industrial Revolution lock-in
Chapter 3
The great metric rebellion of the 1970s
Chapter 4
The hidden metric reality of modern America
YOUR GOAL
Master of Why the US measures in feet
Ch 3 · The great metric rebellion of the 1970s
hank US Metric System Resistance
When the seventies called for change, oh-oh! But for feet and for miles, folks made their stand!
hank Many Americans rebelled against Celsius weather reports, kilometer road signs, and confusing math conversions, forcing a retreat.
hank Because the 1975 law made metrication entirely voluntary, most businesses and citizens simply chose to ignore it.
Fun Fact
The lonely highway: Arizona's Interstate 19 is the only US highway with distances in kilometers, installed in the 1970s and never changed back.
Glossary
metrication (noun)
The action or process of converting to the metric system of measurement. In 1975, American efforts to implement this change voluntarily failed due to intense public backlash.
The action or process of converting to the metric system of measurement. In 1975, American efforts to implement this change voluntarily failed due to intense public backlash.
Quiz
What was a major reason everyday citizens rejected weather reports in Celsius in the 1970s?
Quiz
Which US state contains the only interstate highway with exit distances marked in kilometers?
Quiz
What is the number of the unique Arizona interstate highway that uses metric distance signs?