mike1zeriver@gmail.com Measurement is fundamental to human civilization. From bartering goods in ancient marketplaces to launching rockets into space, we’ve always needed ways to quantify the world around us. But the units we use today – meters, kilograms, seconds – weren’t simply *invented*; they evolved, often from a chaotic and fascinating history of localized customs, bodily approximations, and downright bizarre practices. This article delves into the curious chronicle of forgotten units, exploring the eccentricities of measurement systems that once governed daily life, and how we arrived at the relatively standardized system we use now. Prepare for a journey through furlongs, chains, drams, and more, uncovering the stories behind the numbers.
The Pre-Standardization Chaos: A World of Local Units
Before the advent of the metric system and the widespread adoption of imperial units, the world was a patchwork of local measurement systems. Each village, town, or even individual trade often had its own unique standards. This wasn’t necessarily a problem initially; as long as transactions occurred within a small, defined community, everyone understood the implicit rules. However, as trade expanded, this localized system became a significant barrier. Imagine a farmer trying to sell grain to a merchant who used different units of volume! Negotiation, conversion (often inaccurate), and potential disputes were commonplace.
Many early units were based on the human body. This makes intuitive sense – our bodies were readily available and provided a consistent (though not perfectly precise) reference point. The rhythms of our bodies also influenced the creation of time-keeping units.
Length: From Foot to Digit
The ‘foot’ is perhaps the most ubiquitous example of a body-based unit of length. Its origins are ancient, likely stemming from the length of a human foot (though whose foot, exactly, is a matter of debate!). However, even the ‘foot’ wasn’t standardized. The Roman *pes* (foot) was different from the Greek *pous*, and both varied over time. Smaller units derived from the foot included the ‘inch’ (originally based on the width of a thumb) and the ‘digit’ or ‘fingerbreadth.’ Other cultures developed their own foot-based systems, often tied to the foot of a specific ruler or societal class.
Beyond the foot, we find even more peculiar units. The ‘pace’ (the length of a single step) was common, but the length of a pace varied with the individual. The ‘cubit’ – the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger – was used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, crucial for constructing monumental structures. The ‘fathom’ – the distance between outstretched arms – was particularly important in maritime contexts, used for measuring water depth.
Volume: Bushels, Chaldrons, and More
Measuring volume was equally diverse. The ‘bushel’ originated as a standard measure for grain, but its size varied significantly across regions. The ‘chaldron’ (a unit of dry measure, especially for coal) was used in England for centuries. Liquid measures were equally varied, including the ‘gallon,’ ‘quart,’ ‘pint,’ and ‘gill,’ each with regional variations. The ‘firkin’ (a unit of butter, lard, or herrings) and the ‘coomb’ (a unit of wheat) further illustrate the specialized nature of pre-standardization volume measurements.
Weight: Stones, Drams, and Grains
Weight measurements also presented a complex landscape. The ‘stone’ (equal to 14 pounds in the UK) originated as a literal stone weight. The ‘dram’ (an eighth of an ounce) and the ‘grain’ (a small unit of weight, historically used for measuring precious metals and gunpowder) were used for smaller quantities. The ‘pound’ itself had multiple definitions, depending on the commodity being weighed – the avoirdupois pound (used for general goods) differed from the troy pound (used for precious metals).
The Rise of Standardization: Attempts at Order
The inherent difficulties of dealing with a multitude of units spurred attempts at standardization. Throughout history, rulers and governments recognized the need for a more unified system to facilitate trade and taxation. However, achieving this was a slow and often contentious process.
Early Standardization Efforts
Ancient civilizations made early attempts at standardization. The Code of Hammurabi (circa 1754 BC) included standardized measures for grain and land. The Romans established standardized weights and measures throughout their empire. However, these standards often didn’t survive the collapse of empires or were inconsistently enforced.
The Metric System: A Revolutionary Idea
The French Revolution ushered in a new era of standardization with the development of the metric system. Based on the decimal system, it aimed to create a universal and rational system of measurement, derived from natural constants rather than arbitrary human standards. The meter was originally defined as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator. The kilogram was defined as the mass of one liter of water.
The metric system’s adoption wasn’t immediate. Resistance came from countries with established systems, particularly Britain. However, its inherent simplicity and scientific basis gradually led to its widespread acceptance.
Imperial Units: A British Compromise
Britain, resistant to the metric system, developed its own standardized system of imperial units, based on older English units but refined and standardized. While not as logically consistent as the metric system, it provided a degree of uniformity within the British Empire and its sphere of influence. The conflict between metric and imperial units continues to this day, with the United States being a notable holdout in adopting the metric system fully.
Eccentric Units You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of
Beyond the more common historical units, a vast number of obscure and often delightfully strange units have existed. These units often reflect the specific needs and practices of particular trades or regions.
- The Smoot: Perhaps the most famous of the quirky units, the ‘smoot’ originated at MIT in 1958, based on the height of Oliver R. Smoot, a student who was repeatedly used to measure the length of the Harvard Bridge.
- The Barn: Used in nuclear physics, the ‘barn’ (10-28 square meters) is a unit of area representing the effective cross-sectional area of a nucleus for a particular nuclear reaction.
- The Rod, Pole, or Perch: Common in land surveying, especially in the US, a rod is equal to 16.5 feet.
- The Nail: An old English unit of length, approximately 2.5 inches, used in the cloth trade.
- The League: Historically a distance of about three miles, but its exact length varied greatly.
- The Firkin: As mentioned before, but worth reiterating for its specificity to butter, lard, and herrings.
- The Stone: Used in the UK for body weight, and historically for agricultural products.
- The Clark: A unit of yarn thickness, still sometimes used in the textile industry.
Units Tied to Time: From Shadows to Atomic Clocks
Measuring time has always been a challenge. Early methods relied on observing natural phenomena – the movement of the sun, the phases of the moon, and the changing seasons.
The ‘hour’ originated in ancient Egypt, dividing the daylight period into ten parts. The ‘day’ was naturally defined by the Earth’s rotation. However, defining smaller units of time was more difficult. The ‘minute’ and ‘second’ evolved gradually, with the second originally based on the time it took for a water drop to fall.
The development of mechanical clocks revolutionized timekeeping. Clock towers, as explored in the calculus of clock towers, became central to civic life, providing a standardized time signal for communities. However, even mechanical clocks weren’t perfectly accurate. The advent of quartz clocks and, ultimately, atomic clocks provided the precision needed for modern scientific and technological applications.
The Legacy of Forgotten Units
While many of these forgotten units are no longer in common use, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of human ingenuity and the diverse ways in which we’ve sought to understand and quantify the world around us. They remind us that measurement isn’t simply a matter of applying abstract mathematical formulas; it’s deeply rooted in culture, history, and the practical needs of everyday life. The remnants of these units can still be found in place names, legal documents, and traditional practices.
Studying these obsolete units also provides valuable insight into the evolution of scientific thought and the gradual development of standardized systems. The transition from body-based measurements to scientifically defined units reflects a broader shift towards greater precision, objectivity, and universality in our understanding of the physical world. The echoes of these systems can still be felt today. For example, the nautical mile, still used in navigation, is based on the length of a minute of latitude.
The Enduring Appeal of the Obsolete
There’s something inherently captivating about these obsolete units. They speak to a time when measurement was a more localized and personal affair, when the length of a man’s foot or the capacity of a local bushel held real meaning. The study of these units isn’t merely an academic exercise; it’s a journey into the past, revealing the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our ancestors. It also highlights the power of standardization to overcome barriers and facilitate progress. The sounds of forgotten instruments, the geometry of antique tea services, and the language of lost trades all weave into this rich tapestry of historical context.
Finally, let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer creativity involved in devising these units. It’s a testament to the human capacity for observation, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of order in a chaotic world.
