The History of the Metric System and Why It Matters

A TED-Ed lesson by Matt Anticole explains the history of the metric system, from its origins in the French revolution to its widespread adoption around the world.

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.