Prompt Cast
Why the United States has not adopted the metric system
TLDR The United States has not adopted the metric system due to historical factors, disagreements over the definition of the meter, the popularity of the French system, the voluntary nature of the conversion, and the costs associated with changing measurements. Despite being one of the few countries that still uses imperial units, there is currently no movement or political support for the adoption of the metric system in the US.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The United States is one of only three countries in the world that has not adopted the metric system, despite its large economy and international trade.
01:54
The United States government established a system of measurement in the late 18th century, which was based on a decimal system and used traditional English measurement names.
03:35
Thomas Jefferson's system of measurement, which was similar to the French system, had bipartisan support in the US government but ultimately did not gain widespread adoption, partly due to disagreements over the definition of the meter.
05:17
The United States initially adopted Thomas Jefferson's plan for a decimalized system of measurement, but it was delayed and ultimately abandoned due to other priorities, and the French system gained popularity instead.
06:53
The metric system is fully legal in the United States and can be used for any contractual and legal purpose, but the voluntary nature of the conversion and the costs associated with changing signs and measurements have prevented widespread adoption.
08:33
The US can get away with using a different system of measurement because most everyday activities do not require international agreement, and a full transition to the metric system would be costly and require replacing road signs, labels, packaging, and other things.
10:05
There is currently no movement or political support for the adoption of the metric system in the US, and it is likely to remain mostly imperial units with a small growing number of things measured in metric.
