World in the Balance: The Historic Quest for an Absolute System of Measurement

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Weights & Measures
Cover of the book World in the Balance: The Historic Quest for an Absolute System of Measurement by Robert P. Crease, W. W. Norton & Company
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert P. Crease ISBN: 9780393082043
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Publication: October 24, 2011
Imprint: W. W. Norton & Company Language: English
Author: Robert P. Crease
ISBN: 9780393082043
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Publication: October 24, 2011
Imprint: W. W. Norton & Company
Language: English

The epic story of the invention of a global network of weights, scales, and instruments for measurement.

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The epic story of the invention of a global network of weights, scales, and instruments for measurement.

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.

More books from W. W. Norton & Company

Cover of the book This Road I Ride: Sometimes It Takes Losing Everything to Find Yourself by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Power and Innocence: A Search for the Sources of Violence by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book SEL Every Day: Integrating Social and Emotional Learning with Instruction in Secondary Classrooms (SEL Solutions Series) by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book New Guinea Tapeworms and Jewish Grandmothers: Tales of Parasites and People by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Ice Fire Water: A Leib Goldkorn Cocktail by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book What Goes On: Selected and New Poems 1995-2009 by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Anatomy of Love: A Natural History of Mating, Marriage, and Why We Stray (Completely Revised and Updated with a New Introduction) by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Make Me a Mother: A Memoir by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book The Science of Addiction: From Neurobiology to Treatment by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Neuro-Philosophy and the Healthy Mind: Learning from the Unwell Brain by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Holistic Solutions for Anxiety & Depression in Therapy: Combining Natural Remedies with Conventional Care by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Visual Note-Taking for Educators: A Teacher's Guide to Student Creativity by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Late-Life Love: A Memoir by Robert P. Crease
Cover of the book Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (Substantially Revised) by Robert P. Crease
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy