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Should the US Adopt Metric Standards?

Design News -- Seven years ago, Robert Lipsett, engineering manager at Danaher Motion, wrote a Design News blog about the dwindling reasons for the US to remain wedded to nonmetric standards. Surprisingly, this blog post received no comments for or against. But the need remains for the US to finally jump to the metric system, and I bet it wouldn't take as long for us to adopt metric units as some skeptics think.

Canada, our largest trading partner, adopted metric standards in the 1970s, although commercial relations with the US still require the use of some English units for many products that cross the border. I have traveled to Canada many times, and I found it easy to adapt to the use of grams for product weights, liters for gasoline purchases, and kilometers for distance.

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Submitted Aug 25, 2012 By: doeslayersr

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2012 7:23:01 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse rjh: I have a digital scale that won't let you, but a friend has one that allows for the switch. Of course, there's also a mechanical one still in the house...
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,419 Points:2,226,625 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:37:14 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse honda0105 - "(unless you have a digital one)." And then there's usually some way to let you select which you want to see.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 4:59:03 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse gasg: the L/100km is more a European thing that was carried to the new world. It still makes sense once you get used to the difference in numbers. For a while, it would be great if manufacturers would provide both figures. That way, it's easy for everyone to learn and also to compare.
gazguzzler11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,419 Points:759,315 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2012 2:04:30 PM Ignore gazguzzler11 Report Abuse rjhenn I agree with your comment. My main point was just to let NJ Spotter know that there is a relatively easy way to do the conversion. Our official fuel economy figures have been the L/100 km for quit a while. I have never switched to that format. Whenever I calculate my mileage I still do it in MPGs. It makes more sense to me as I am more interested in knowing how far I can go. If our Canadian govt decided that MPG had to go because we are metric they should have gone to KM/L a far as I'm concerned.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2012 5:10:41 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse ziyulu: we already have that, plus, scales are in lbs and kilo for the most part (unless you have a digital one).
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2012 5:08:05 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse it's much easier to handle. All on a decimal system. And the rest of the world won't laugh when we ditch an expensive toy a world away b/c the poor puppy handlers didn't realize that one control place uses metric, the other imperial (and there again are more standards than one) units.
ProfDude Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,180 Points:443,585 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 5:54:03 PM Ignore ProfDude Report Abuse I also agree that it is high time that we finish making the switch. As many have posted before, we have already started. We need to pull together to just get it done. It will be more painful for some of us than for others, but it is manageable because we Americans are up to the task. Frankly, we could use a good nationwide challenge that isn't for someone's political gain, and that does not involve an invasion or a myriad deaths.
six_ball_man Champion Author Rochester Posts:8,522 Points:1,388,115 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 5:42:52 PM Ignore six_ball_man Report Abuse Of course we should change to metric. The system is much simpler and the measurements cross over. It would be painful for exactly ONE generation. After that, the youngsters would be trained and understand the newer system. Do I think it will ever happen? Of course not!! Not in this divisive, cut your nose off to spite your face culture. sad
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,419 Points:2,226,625 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 5:28:27 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse gazguzzler11 - "There actually is a 'factor' that you can use to convert L/100 km into US MPG. If you divide 235 by the L/100 km number you will always arrive at your US MPG." NJ_Spotter was right. So are you. He said "so multiplying with a factor won't do". You're dividing a factor by one unit of measure to get the other. Different operations.
gazguzzler11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,419 Points:759,315 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 1:31:16 PM Ignore gazguzzler11 Report Abuse NJ Spotter There actually is a 'factor' that you can use to convert L/100 km into US MPG. If you divide 235 by the L/100 km number you will always arrive at your US MPG. It may not be the simplest but it does work. I got that from this website http://www.onlineconversion.com/fuel_consumption.htm
rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:22,905 Points:3,527,565 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Aug 27, 2012 11:54:46 PM Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse "Why should we? Let the rest of the world change to our system!!!" That is hilarious - ridiculous, but hilarious.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,881 Points:769,345 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 27, 2012 11:30:25 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse no
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,595 Points:1,201,860 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 27, 2012 11:27:57 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Why not? This argument has been going on for over 40 years! Not going to kill us!
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,419 Points:2,226,625 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 11:33:20 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse MAC48 - "If my US senators and my US representative heed my voice, we will not convert to the metric system." It's already happening. When's the last time you bought a half-gallon of soda? And isn't most of our military gear metric these days? How about cars? Seems I use metric wrenches more than SAE any more. And the speedometer on my F-150 is marked in both mph & kph. [Edited by: rjhenn at 8/27/2012 12:36:21 AM EST]
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,546 Points:763,220 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 6:14:52 PM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse If my US senators and my US representative heed my voice, we will not convert to the metric system. Seem to remember that great statesman, leader and politician Jimmy Carter's administration pushing a conversion to the metric system during his term as president. The Carter administration efforts to convert the US to the metric system was just as successful as Carter's reelection campaign in 1980.
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,800 Points:638,275 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 5:06:16 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse There's more metrics going on in our system than most of us realize. Slowly but surely we'll be there.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,528 Points:744,045 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 12:50:15 PM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse We tried in the 70's. Didn't work then either.
PCWHIZ All-Star Author Denver Posts:573 Points:436,925 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 11:31:01 AM Ignore PCWHIZ Report Abuse No
zwsn01 All-Star Author Alabama Posts:691 Points:436,550 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 9:56:55 AM Ignore zwsn01 Report Abuse Should have done it a long time ago. Dumb Americans (me included) are too stubborn to change.
NJ_Spotter Rookie Author New Jersey Posts:16 Points:193,020 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 9:01:03 AM Ignore NJ_Spotter Report Abuse Im reply to treehood: The US miles-per-gallon system measures a yield ("How many miles can I get out of a gallon of fuel") while in most if not all countries using a metric system, the actual consumption is measured in liters/100 km ("How much fuel do I use to go a certain distance?"). Roughly speaking, one is the inverse of the other, so multiplying with a factor won't do. In a system measuring yield, large numbers are "good". In a system measuring consumption, small numbers are.
ziyulu Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:8,481 Points:1,599,015 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 8:03:30 AM Ignore ziyulu Report Abuse If we do go, which I am totally for it, I hope the government won't force us to convert our vehicles to show kilometers on the odometer.
treehood Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,024 Points:392,760 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 8:00:33 AM Ignore treehood Report Abuse I'm only getting between 6 or 7 KPL. Multiply your MPG by .425 to get kilometers per litre.
ptmomma Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:17 Points:1,275 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 6:54:54 AM Ignore ptmomma Report Abuse One post said it all......"Meh..."
kenji554 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:1,216 Points:510,275 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 6:14:16 AM Ignore kenji554 Report Abuse we all use metrics now in some way. its funny when one of my equipment service manuals listed measurements as "US "and "the rest of the world".
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,609,325 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 4:51:29 AM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “I guess we will ask in the US why we have to change instead of the other countries and nations from ‘metric’.” I guess one could ask but it would be a really stupid question. Metric measurements are used by most of the rest of the world. It is a unified system based on factors of 10 as opposed to our present measures, which is a melange of obsolete units with no rhyme or reason. Metric measurements are used by all branches of science, including in the US, and by the military. There are costs for conversion but these would ultimately be less than the continuing cost of maintaining our obsolete non-system.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,917 Points:2,341,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 3:46:26 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse The push was on in the '70's to change to metric but it did Not happen. I remember seeing speed signs on the major highways with the metric speed below the English system speed. The metric signs stayed up about 3 months then were switched out for the 'standard' ones. There are many different standards in use today, from many different countries. The longer the change to metric does not happen, the more and more it is harder to sell products to other countries. There are Many products in the US built to metric standards and its just a matter of time until all things go metric. It's a very easy system to learn, it's all based on the power of 10! Metrics for Dummies! Let's make the official language of the US – English too. Other languages are acceptable but all signs have to have English as the main language. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,594 Points:1,138,245 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 2:00:15 AM Ignore NedW Report Abuse We went to the moon using inches, feet and miles.
58salty Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:6,588 Points:625,890 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 1:14:39 AM Ignore 58salty Report Abuse No lets stay different.
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,419 Points:2,226,625 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 1:09:37 AM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse Aren't most things already labeled in metric units? What size bottle of soda do you usually buy, half-gallon or 2 liter?
pastorpaulcg Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,615 Points:775,785 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 12:45:34 AM Ignore pastorpaulcg Report Abuse Meh
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,706 Points:597,540 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 12:13:32 AM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse Ummm...y...after thousands of years...of NOT using it...
spud5559 Veteran Author Yakima Posts:287 Points:85,465 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2012 12:00:46 AM Ignore spud5559 Report Abuse we should it's just make sense
da_bears22 Veteran Author Chicago Posts:391 Points:1,244,155 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:59:05 PM Ignore da_bears22 Report Abuse Seems like there is too much inertia to switch.
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,595 Points:1,201,860 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:57:14 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Interesting article Doeslayersr....if only it weren't an opinion piece!
MrPony Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:418 Points:390,475 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:52:19 PM Ignore MrPony Report Abuse Why should we? Let the rest of the world change to our system!!!
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,639 Points:2,357,045 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:45:18 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I guess we will ask in the US why we have to change instead of the other countries and nations from "metric".
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:38:36 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse JettaKnight wrote: "Why is 32 degrees the freezing point of water and 212 degrees the boiling point?" Legend has it that Mr. Fahrenheit thought a mixture of salt and ice was the absolute coldest temperature so he set that to 0. Then he just happened to have a fever the day he took his temperature. He had already decided the body temperature should be 100 degrees.
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:35:42 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse Van_Halen wrote: "Why so Obama can increase out taxes even more by taxing Liters of gasoline instead of gallons. One of the main reasons for Ethanol in gasoline is it lowers your mileage so you have to by more gasoline because the increased mileage over the last decade has hurt the Treasury!" You make it sound like the Ethanol came during the current administration. I'm sure you can find when it started if you look hard enough. Hint: It was earlier.
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,018 Points:521,215 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:34:40 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse I guess the really nasty comments re: Canada are from the ones that are absolutely terrified; sorry can't help, but smile, as it makes me chuckle. We are not your evil enemy! Some here have a terrible mindset; you must be your own worst enemy! What's that old saying! Ah, Yes...."Resistance if futile"
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:34:21 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse Trinity4Eva wrote: "I am sure that the transition would go a lot faster than people think. I remember when our currency changed from German Marks to Euro......The change was done and over with in under a year. You just have to take the plunge." That's right. Just like in Sweden in the 60's when they changed from driving on the left to driving on the right overnight. Just take the plunge and do it.
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:6,999 Points:2,555,900 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:33:27 PM Ignore speedys Report Abuse We tried it once and it didn't go over very well.
pa79th Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,762 Points:1,212,850 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:32:27 PM Ignore pa79th Report Abuse Leftover article from yesterday.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,536 Points:1,169,685 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:29:28 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse It is easy to just say NO!, as many prior posts have stated. And, yes, it is confusing to understand other ways of measuring things. However, many nations in our world use metric and my belief is we must teach this to our children, and perhaps their parents would benefit by learning metrics also.
crawco Rookie Author Cincinnati Posts:47 Points:120,490 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:28:11 PM Ignore crawco Report Abuse This is what makes us the best country in the world, everyone can have their own opinion!
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,018 Points:521,215 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:26:47 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse It's kind of funny in a way; personally I use both and many times here I have converted for the American consumer here at GB. I am quite comfortable with it. When you think about it, the N. American monitory system is metric, neither countries use pounds, shillings or pence; our money is based on Dollar or 100 cents. It's really not that hard and very surprised it has never transformed, considering it's the 21st century and the world utilizes metric. It's understandable that people are leery, suspicious, (many scared) as they have only used the old system all their lives and to change now is considered a daunting task; this is only human nature! Granted it's just math and for some math is terrifying. It's America's decision and if it comes to fruition, hopefully you will embrace it as it's not really that hard and it's nothing to be afraid of! It's what you make of it, if nervous or scared it will probably be difficult.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,609,325 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:26:19 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “Isn't that once [sic] of the reason [sic] that the Pilgrims left Europe?” NO.
liao Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,432 Points:1,425,310 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:24:50 PM Ignore liao Report Abuse Difficult for some and easy for others.
after10 Veteran Author Hamilton Posts:355 Points:47,450 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:24:31 PM Ignore after10 Report Abuse Conversion is a extremely costly process.MPH to KM signage costs tax payers mega bucks.And thats only a drop in the bucket,when you consider the amount of time passed and money spent.Were still only semi-converted!!
tco9436 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,772 Points:719,925 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:24:14 PM Ignore tco9436 Report Abuse nothing good from canada comes to the us...ie celion deon,hockey,the blue jays
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,609,325 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 25, 2012 11:23:48 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse A quick scan of the comments indicates that the nay-sayers are leading. I’ve always thought that the majority of GBs were Republicants and this pretty much proves it.