Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst 1234
Results 31 to 37 of 37
Like Tree87Likes

Thread: Escher question

  1. #31
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    1,060
    Thanked: 246

    Default

    I think I found the issue. The old German "zoll" unit originated before the standardization of units between countries. So it could have originally been some arbitrary number "close" to an actual inch but not exactly correct. Over time it was corrected to the actual inch. At the time the ad on page 2 was created it should have been correct. See link for more info:

    Zoll (Pre-metric Prussian) | Units of Measurement Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia

  2. #32
    Senior Member blabbermouth Kees's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    5,474
    Thanked: 656

    Default

    Every region in Europe used to have its own slightly different units. Both the Zoll and the inch are based on the width of a man's thumb. Napoleon introduced metric system in Continental Europe. The UK held on to its own units until recently.
    Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr.

  3. #33
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kees View Post
    Every region in Europe used to have its own slightly different units. Both the Zoll and the inch are based on the width of a man's thumb. Napoleon introduced metric system in Continental Europe. The UK held on to its own units until recently.
    Going along with that, I read that the "rule of thumb" was that when you beat your wife the stick couldn't be thicker than your thumb. A good rule. This is probably true because I read it on the internet.
    celticcrusader and Phrank like this.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  4. #34
    barba crescit caput nescit Phrank's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Posts
    9,660
    Thanked: 2691

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JimmyHAD View Post
    Going along with that, I read that the "rule of thumb" was that when you beat your wife the stick couldn't be thicker than your thumb. A good rule. This is probably true because I read it on the internet.
    Yup, famous quote from one of your past Presidents:

    "Not everything you read on the internet is true." - Abe Lincoln

  5. #35
    Senior Member celticcrusader's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Merthyr Tydfil South Wales UK.
    Posts
    5,601
    Thanked: 1413

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JimmyHAD View Post
    Going along with that, I read that the "rule of thumb" was that when you beat your wife the stick couldn't be thicker than your thumb. A good rule. This is probably true because I read it on the internet.
    A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree, the more you beat them the better they be.
    “Wherever you’re going never take an idiot with you, you can always find one when you get there.”

  6. #36
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    1,060
    Thanked: 246

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kees View Post
    Every region in Europe used to have its own slightly different units. Both the Zoll and the inch are based on the width of a man's thumb. Napoleon introduced metric system in Continental Europe. The UK held on to its own units until recently.
    This wasn't just how it was in Europe, it was like this everywhere in the world. When the units of measure originated, sophistication of measuring equipment and standards were obviously very low. Even an inch in England where the unit originated would vary quite a bit.

    Basically even after they tried to create "standards" they would often be making copies of copies of copies etc. which led to significant errors. Before they created any realistic standards it was often based on the length of an arm, foot or thumb etc. of the presiding monarch - which often was changed with every new one.

    This is why even into the 1900's, mating parts that had to have a close fit needed to be machined or hand finished with the mating part close at hand.
    Kees likes this.

  7. #37
    Senior Member celticcrusader's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Merthyr Tydfil South Wales UK.
    Posts
    5,601
    Thanked: 1413

    Default

    Even though metric came into being in the UK if I remember correctly around 1969 at the time I was 10 years old and up until then I was taught in imperial measurement, even to this day I'm still programmed think think in pounds & ounces feet & inches I can work with metric and most of the time I use both although I'm 100% pounds & ounces when it comes to weights.

    http://www.metric.org.uk/uk-metric-time-line
    JimmyHAD and Kristian like this.
    “Wherever you’re going never take an idiot with you, you can always find one when you get there.”

Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst 1234

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •