World in the balance : the historic quest for an absolute system of measurement
著者
書誌事項
World in the balance : the historic quest for an absolute system of measurement
W. W. Norton, c2011
1st ed
- : hardcover
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注記
Includes bibliographical references (p. [279]-294) and index
Summary: Offers the story of the invention of a global network of weights, scales, and instruments for measurement
内容説明・目次
内容説明
Millions of transactions each day depend on a reliable network of weights and measures. This network has been called a greater invention than the steam engine, comparable only to the development of the printing press.
Robert P. Crease traces the evolution of this international system from the use of flutes to measure distance in the dynasties of ancient China and figurines to weigh gold in West Africa to the creation of the French metric and British imperial systems. The former prevailed, with the United States one of three holdout nations. Into this captivating history Crease weaves stories of colorful individuals, including Thomas Jefferson, an advocate of the metric system, and American philosopher Charles S. Peirce, the first to tie the meter to the wavelength of light. Tracing the dynamic struggle for ultimate precision, World in the Balance demonstrates that measurement is both stranger and more integral to our lives than we ever suspected.
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