Bring up the metric system in The United States, and also you may get stared at like a leper. It is practically an alien language, as the odd lack of fractions is cause of consternation among the populace. Nevertheless, some individuals have tried to convert the United States to the orthodoxy of the metric system. It has never been successful. There is a solitary Interstate highway that uses metric units to this day, Interstate 19 in Arizona. It’s a small stretch by numerous standards, connecting the Mexican border to Tuscon. The signs may become standard units instead of metric though.
I nineteen
Interstate 19 in Arizona is an oddity. It is the sole American highway to use metric measurements. The highway is not a terribly long stretch though. It’s solely a four hour drive in total, running from Tuscon to Nogales. The formula for exit numbers are bit different as well. Typically, exit numbers correlate with distance in miles. The signs are confusing individuals and as a result, according to the New York Times, the state wants to replace or modify the marks at a cost of over $1 million. If it should happen, all road marks will need brand new exit numbers, and all companies along the way will need brand new brochures, so those are who’ll actually pay the price. Mexican citizens may be especially confused, as Mexico uses metric units.
Why kilo off a great tradition?
Among the many cultural traits America got from the English was our measurement system. Changes were made, naturally. That said, English methods are where the root lies. Miles and pints and pounds all originated from the English system. According to Wikipedia, there are solely three nations that don’t use metric units as the official standard. The other two are Burma and Liberia. However, there are a number of attempts to view about converting the United States of America to the metric scale method. The last one was a pilot study begun by the Ford administration.
Transformation not likely
The signs on Interstate 19 will probably get modified in some way at some time, and it is not likely the United States will adopt the metric scale system any time soon. It is, nevertheless, nevertheless mandatory that students learn it though. Scientists all use the metric scale method above all others.
NY Times
nytimes.com/2010/09/15/us/15highway.html?_r=1 and ref=automobilesvv
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_the_United_States
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