Simone Lawson
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution gives Congress the power to decide on a standard system of weights and measures. In 1790, Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, proposed a plan for a uniform system of weights and measures, which was the world's first scientifically based, fully integrated decimal system. This proposal was considered by Congress, along with other proposals, for several years. In 1795, a bill titled An Act directing certain experiments to be made to ascertain uniform standards of weights and measures for the United States was passed by the House and approved by the Senate committee. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that Congress began to seriously consider the use of the metric system, and the general public did not widely adopt it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Article of the Constitution concerning weights and measures | Article I, Section 8 |
| Clause | 5 |
| Power | Congress has the power to "fix the standard of weights and measures" |
| Date of submission | July 13, 1790 |
| Submitter | Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson |
| Date of urging by George Washington | January 8, 1790 |
| Date of request by the House of Representatives | January 15, 1790 |
| Basis | Seconds pendulum at 45° latitude as the basic reference |
| Ounce | Equals the weight of one thousandth of a cubic foot of rainwater at standard temperature |
| Rundlet | Existing measure for liquids equivalent to a kilderkin |
| System | Decimal |
| Relation to French system | Jefferson's proposal was based on the French system, but the French decided to use the length of a meridian of the Earth instead of a seconds pendulum |
| Metric Act | Passed in 1866 to allow the use of the metric system without requiring its universal adoption |
| Metric Conversion Act | Passed in 1975 to coordinate the increasing use of the metric system and establish a United States Metric Board |
| Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act | Passed in 1988 to state that the metric system was the preferred system for weights and measures |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution gives Congress the power to fix the standard of weights and measures
- The US continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom
- The Metric Act of 1866 allowed the use of the metric system but did not require it
- Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act in 1975 to coordinate the increasing use of the metric system
- Jefferson's proposal was the world's first scientifically-based, fully integrated, decimal system of weights and measures
The US Constitution gives Congress the power to fix the standard of weights and measures
The inclusion of this power in the Constitution can be traced back to the country's early years. In 1789, during the First United States Congress, there was a discussion about the system of units to be used in the country. At that time, the decimal metric system had not yet been developed in France, and the United States continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom.
Recognizing the importance of standardized weights and measures, President George Washington urged Congress to address this issue in 1790. As a result, the House of Representatives requested Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, to draw up a plan for establishing uniformity in weights and measures. Jefferson's proposal, known as the "'Plan for Establishing Uniformity in the Coinage, Weights, and Measures of the United States," was submitted to the House of Representatives on July 13, 1790.
Jefferson's plan was the world's first scientifically based, fully integrated decimal system of weights and measures. He collaborated with scientists in France and based his proposal on the seconds pendulum at 45° latitude as the basic reference. Jefferson's system was designed to be simple and consistent, with units linked directly by powers of ten. However, it did not utilize the concept of prefixes as the French system did.
While Jefferson's proposal was not immediately adopted, it laid the groundwork for future efforts to standardize weights and measures in the United States. Over time, Congress passed various acts to coordinate the increasing use of the metric system and to establish preferred systems for weights and measures. Despite these efforts, the United States still largely clings to the old British units of measurement, while other countries, such as those in the UK, have embraced the metric system more fully.
Child Neglect in Florida: Understanding the Legal Definition
You may want to see also
The US continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom
The US Constitution, Article I, Section 8, gives Congress the power to "fix the standard of weights and measurements". In 1790, Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, proposed a standardised system of measurements based on units of 10. This proposal was the world's first scientifically based, fully integrated decimal system of weights and measures. However, it was not adopted, and the US continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom rather than law.
The traditional English weights and measurements used in the US were influenced by a combination of Saxon, Norman, and Roman units of measure. The Saxon unit for area, the acre, continues to be used in almost all English-speaking countries. Various units of weight in historical England were related as multiples of the grain, which was originally the weight of one barleycorn. For volume, the gallon was used, originally defined as the volume of eight pounds of wheat. The gallon was redefined multiple times, with a definitive standard proposed in 1742. The Norman invasion of England in 1066 brought a blend of Norse Viking, Frankish, and Gallo-Roman influences, and they retained many Saxon units of measurement, such as the rod (gyrd), an old Saxon unit of length.
English units of measure also evolved due to influences from other countries, including Holland, France, and Spain. This resulted in variations in measurements between different colonies. For example, a bushel was measured as 28 pounds in Connecticut, while in New Jersey, it was defined as 32 pounds. After independence, the states developed uniform weights and measurements, leading to the birth of the US Customary System. The British Imperial System, established in 1824, further added to the divide between English units and US Customary units.
Despite the existence of the US Customary System, the US continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom. In 1866, Congress passed the Metric Act, which allowed for the use of the metric system but did not mandate its universal adoption. It wasn't until the 1970s that Congress began to embrace the idea of using metrics, passing the Metric Conversion Act in 1975 to coordinate the voluntary conversion to the metric system. However, the general public did not widely adopt the metric system. It wasn't until 1988 that Congress passed the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act, stating that the metric system was to be the preferred system for weights and measures in the US.
Constitution Address: A Historical Location
You may want to see also
The Metric Act of 1866 allowed the use of the metric system but did not require it
The United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8, gives Congress the power to "fix the standard of weights and measurements." In 1790, George Washington urged Congress to address the need for a uniform system of weights and measures. This led to Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, proposing a scientifically based, fully integrated decimal system of weights and measures. However, the US continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom rather than law.
In 1866, Congress passed The Metric Act (also known as the Kasson Act), which allowed for the use of the metric system in commerce but did not require its universal adoption. This act was introduced to aid international trade and protect the use of the metric system from lawsuits. It provided an official conversion table from customary units to metric units. The act included a now-obsolete definition of the metric system and tables of units, which were amended in 2007 to align with the modern-day definition of SI.
The Metric Act of 1866 was a significant step towards legalizing the use of the metric system in the US, but it did not mandate its exclusive use. It was hoped that by legalizing the metric system, people would be encouraged to adopt it, and eventually, Congress could set a date for its official implementation. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that the idea of using metrics gained traction in Congress, and even then, it did not catch on with the general public.
It is worth noting that the US has had a complex relationship with measurement systems. While the Metric Act of 1866 allowed for the use of the metric system, subsequent acts, such as the Omnibus Act in 1988, established that metrication must be voluntary. This voluntary approach has led to a mix of measurement systems in the US, with customary units and metric units both being used, often requiring conversions between the two.
Understanding Probable Cause: Searching a House Legally
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$36.11 $39.99
Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act in 1975 to coordinate the increasing use of the metric system
The United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8, gives Congress the power to "fix the standard of weights and measurements." In 1790, George Washington urged Congress to address the need for a uniform system of weights and measures, and Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, proposed a standardized measurement system. However, the US continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom rather than law.
In 1866, Congress passed The Metric Act to facilitate international trade, allowing the use of the metric system but not mandating it. It wasn't until the 1970s that Congress embraced the idea of using metrics, though it did not catch on with the general public. To address this, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act in 1975, declaring the metric system "the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce."
The Act, signed into law by President Gerald Ford, established the United States Metric Board, with representatives from scientific, technical, and educational institutions, as well as state and local governments. The board's role was to plan, coordinate, and educate the American people about the metric system and its voluntary adoption. The Act emphasized that the conversion to the metric system was entirely voluntary, and the use of United States customary units was still permitted in all activities.
The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 was a significant step towards coordinating the increasing use of the metric system in the United States, providing a framework for a gradual and voluntary transition from customary units to the metric system.
Indiana's Pre-Employment: Falsifying Information, What Counts?
You may want to see also
Jefferson's proposal was the world's first scientifically-based, fully integrated, decimal system of weights and measures
The United States Constitution, under Article 1, Section 8, grants Congress the authority to "fix the standard of weights and measures." In 1790, Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, presented a proposal to Congress for a standardised system of weights and measures. Jefferson's proposal was notable for being the world's first scientifically based, fully integrated decimal system of weights and measures.
Jefferson's interest in a logical system of measurement reflected the Enlightenment philosophies of his time. He envisioned a system grounded in natural laws, aiming to establish coherence in describing and quantifying things and phenomena. Jefferson proposed using the seconds pendulum as the standard of length and the cubic inch of distilled water as the standard of weight. This idea of employing the seconds pendulum was not unique to Jefferson, as it was also generally advanced by scientists in Europe and America. However, Jefferson's specific approach to standardisation was unique.
Jefferson's decimal system was developed simultaneously with the French decimal metric system, which was later adopted by France. Jefferson coordinated with French scientists and based his proposal on the seconds pendulum at 45 degrees latitude. He suggested using a uniform rod as the pendulum instead of a traditional pendulum due to technical reasons. Jefferson's system proposed a direct link between units through powers of ten, but it did not utilise the concept of prefixes, which was significant in the French system.
Jefferson's proposal for a decimal system of weights and measures was well-supported by prominent figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, James Monroe, and George Washington. A committee appointed by the Senate unanimously endorsed Jefferson's decimal system in April 1792. However, the Senate was slow to act, and events in France, where scientists initially supported the use of the seconds pendulum, complicated the issue. Ultimately, the French opted for a different standard, hindering the prospects of an internationally unified system.
Foreign Policy: Constitution Party's Stance Explored
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution gives Congress the power to "fix the standard of weights and measurement."
Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, proposed a plan for standardised weights and measures, which was submitted to the US House of Representatives on July 13, 1790. This proposal was the world's first scientifically based, fully integrated decimal system of weights and measures.
The US continued to use traditional English weights and measurements by custom, rather than law, until 1866 when Congress passed the Metric Act, which allowed for the use of the metric system.
Today, the US uses a mix of metric and customary units. For example, miles are used to measure distance, while weights are often measured in pounds and ounces.
