Why doesn't the US use the metric system?

Barrow boy

The USA has been in the process of converting ever since the Metric Conversion Act of 1975. But since the Metric Board was closed down in 1982, there has been no driving force behind the change, so consequently the change has been slow. Some non-domestic products have been metricated, particularly where exportation is involved. In the UK the conversion has been going on for around 40 years and we still are not entirely there! Have a look at http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/200/202/lc1136a.htm Aug 06 02, 12:07 PM

Fosse4

Here in the UK we're not likely to go fully metric until all the oldsters (like me) who were taught the old fashioned feet and inches, pounds and ounces etc are long gone. Being an engineer I'm used to both systems and there are times when you have to combine them to get a result. (It's not uncommon for my wife to go into a shop to order metre wide pieces of fabric 6 feet long - and yes they do serve it even though they are not supposed to) Aug 06 02, 5:18 PM

billythebrit

The European Commission recently allowed the UK to keep the Imperial system, in part to keep trade between Europe and the States easy. See here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6637587.stm May 13 07, 4:15 AM