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Why the metric system matters - Matt Anticole

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  • 47,147 Questions Answered
  • TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

For the majority of recorded human history, units like the weight of a grain or the length of a hand weren’t exact and varied from place to place. Now, consistent measurements are such an integral part of our daily lives that it’s hard to appreciate what a major accomplishment for humanity they’ve been. Matt Anticole traces the wild history of the metric system.


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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Matt Anticole
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Hernando Bahamon
  • Art Director Andrés Landazábal
  • Compositor Ricardo Avila
  • Animator Miguel Otálora, José Arce
  • Composer Manuel Borda
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
There have been many efforts throughout the years to ‘make America metric’. The biggest push in recent history came as a result of a three-year study in the late 1960’s. This came to the conclusion that America was already on the road to ‘metrification’ (the official adoption and usage of the metric system) and that the trend should be officially encouraged and standardized. 

YouTube features a window into this time period with an animated (if you can really call it that) mini-movie entitled ‘Metric America’, released in 1973. Whether you agree or not with the overall goal of pushing for the metrication of America, it offers a charming insight into the metric-supporters of that time. Watch this movie to see how they felt the following questions should be answered: 

- What is the metric system?
- How will America adopt the metric system and how hard will it be?
- What advantages await America upon our adoption to the metric system?

There have also been several recent articles about this dilemma including this one from TIME: Why Won’t America Go Metric? and Who's Afraid of the Metric System? From The Atlantic.

Time To Switch To The Metric System! is another quick video from DNews about why America should be using the metric system. Finally, watch this Seeker Network video: Why Don't Americans Use The Metric System? What do you think? Is it time to make the change?

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Matt Anticole
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Hernando Bahamon
  • Art Director Andrés Landazábal
  • Compositor Ricardo Avila
  • Animator Miguel Otálora, José Arce
  • Composer Manuel Borda
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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