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How Pirates Thwarted America’s Plan to Go Metric (psnaudus.medium.com)

submitted 1 year ago by CaspianXI@lemmy.world to c/mildlyinteresting@lemmy.world

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In the late 1700s, Thomas Jefferson wanted the United States to adopt a unified system of measurement and saw the metric system as the best solution. However, a pirate attack in the Caribbean disrupted these plans. Joseph Dombey, a French scientist carrying a kilogram and meter stick to demonstrate the metric system, was captured by pirates. By the time France sent another scientist to explain the system to the Americans, Jefferson was no longer in office, and plans to go metric were disregarded.

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[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is America, pal. We don't believe anything unless we someone tells it to us with conviction. Hence Donald Trump's presidency.

[–] Flaky_Fish69@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I can't tell if you're just being honest, or being sarcastic. or like... you know... both.
you have no idea how depressing this is.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I can't tell either, which also depresses me.