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why is the US not Metric

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ebastler:

--- Quote from: KL27x on January 02, 2020, 09:42:46 pm ---Actually, it's the small size of the cm necessitating that the cumulatively running numbers have to be placed sideways on a metric tape measure. Virtually all metric tape measures run 1-10, only, because of the spacing issue. Virtually all imperial tape measures have cumulative numbers on every inch mark, and they don't have to be labelled sideways.

--- End quote ---

That is patently untrue. All my tape measures and folding rulers have centimeter scales, all of them have the full numbers printed every cm, and all of them have the numbers running along the length of the ruler, not rotated by 90 degrees. (Or should that be 100 degrees? ;))

And yes, those numbers run into the hundreds. Scary, ain't it?

Fun fact: In Germany, we still call the folding ruler "Zollstock" -- "inch stick".

KL27x:
Put that on a tape, and show me. Pics.

Hint: a ruler only goes to like 30 cm and is ok to have fine numbering, even just light etching on a metal ruler. In a 25m+ tape measure, have fun with that idea. If you put cumulative numbers on each cm and did not turn them sideways, it will end up looking like someone writing pi out to the 50 thousandth decimal place.

Show me this metric tape measure that you would use outside, in the field, doing framing with a circular saw, day in day out. Not a ruler for cutting paper at a desk with an exacto knife.

Choosing the size of the meter was a compromise. Belgie didn't put the same priorities on all tasks, esp when he decided there are 400 degrees in a circle.

ebastler:

--- Quote from: KL27x on January 02, 2020, 09:59:21 pm ---Put that on a tape, and show me. Pics.

Hint: a ruler only goes to like 30 cm and is ok to have fine numbering, even just light etching on a metal ruler. In a 25m+ tape measure, have fun with that idea. If you put cumulative numbers on each cm and did not turn them sideways, it will end up looking like someone writing pi out to the 50 thousandth decimal place.

--- End quote ---

None of my tape measures or Zollstocks is longer than 10 m, so three digits will do. (None is longer than 5m, actually.) And we are not talking about an "idea" of mine, but everyday products. Sheesh...

(That's a "Stanley" brand tape measure, btw.)

KL27x:
IMO, and it's only an opinion, that looks like shit.  >:D And it only gets worse when you get to 200's.

tooki:

--- Quote from: KL27x on January 02, 2020, 09:42:46 pm ---Tooki:
--- Quote ---It's just the metricness of it he's referring to. American tailors use the same kind of tapes, except that they've got metric on one side and inches on the other. ;)
--- End quote ---
Actually, it's the small size of the cm necessitating that the cumulatively running numbers have to be placed sideways on a metric tape measure. Virtually all metric tape measures run 1-10, only, because of the spacing issue. Virtually all imperial tape measures have cumulative numbers on every inch mark, and they don't have to be labelled sideways.
--- End quote ---
Dafuck you talking about? I’ve used metric measuring tapes here for ages, and they count up just like an inch tape. As for rotational orientation of the numbers, that’s a design decision, nothing more.

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