GeePeeS'r

Yes, I agree metric is better for the most part. Industrially, the US tried in the 80's to convert to a metric system, but with little success. For the most part (as stated above), the majority of automobiles use metric bolts and nuts today.

The US was planning to become metric. In the late 1700's, when standards were being developed for economic reasons, there was a big push to convert to the European metric standard. Even Thomas Jefferson was involved. But the US Gov. was not convinced it was worth the trouble. After a lot of duscussion, the US finally decided to consider it - and was waiting for the official calibrated "meter bar" - a solid metal bar by which all meters would be measured for accuracy and consistency. It was being sent on a ship with Joseph Dombey. But as luck would have it - his ship was taken by pirates of the carribean (serously, no joke) when they were blown off course by a storm, and he was captured and died in a prison cell. The meter bar eventually made it to the US a few years later, but no one really knew what it was, or how to explain the simplicity of measure it could bring. So with Mr. Dombeys death - the hope for the US metric system also died.

When I was in college, I did a bit of research on Mr. Dombey. Being a surveyor, measurements are my life - and I can only dream of measuring things that are based on the simple number 10.

I think now, its just too late. Imagine all the databases, property deeds, road signs, standards, etc that would have to be changed. And that is just in my scope. It would cost billions of dollars to enact, and billions more to correct mistakes/transformation errors that would come along with it.