The efforts to introduce a system of measurements based on 10 date back to Thomas Jefferson. It was not exactly the metric system as we know today, but an original system of measures based on 10.
Here is an example of those original units:
Length
"Let the foot be divided into 10 inches; the inch into 10 lines; the line into 10 points. Let 10 feet make a decad; 10 decads one rood; 10 roods a furlong; 10 furlongs a mile"
Weight
"Let the ounce be divided into 10 double scruples, the double scruple into 10 carats; the carat into 10 minims or demi-grains, the minim into 10 mites. Let 10 ounces make a pound; 10 pounds a stone..."
If that does not sound familiar, that's OK. Despite the fact that the idea was supported by people like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, the system proposed by Jefferson was never accepted.
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Just for the record... Where are we with the units today?
