John Frewen-Lord tells us about his experiences of living in Cyprus, and how they completed #metrication successfully, unlike the UK.
#metricsystem
metricviews.uk/2026/04/01/c...
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#metrication
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"Metrication – A Producer’s Guide" A 68-page booklet published by the BBC Inter-divisional Metrication Committee in October 1976.
50 years ago, the BBC's Inter-divisional Metrication Committee published "Metrication – A Producer’s Guide".
Our latest blog article:
What role did the BBC play in the UK’s transition to the metric system in the 1970s?
#BBC #metrication #metric
metricviews.uk/2026/03/26/w...
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Listen to our Chair, Dr Peter Burke, on BBC Radio Bristol live shortly (sometime after 12:00), as the following question is discussed:
"Everything we buy is measured in kg, but when we talk about weight loss we go back to stone and pounds, why is this?”
#metrication
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
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In the early years of the Metrication Programme, which began in 1965, the press was not hostile to #metrication ...
Our latest blog article: "Media blast from the past"
#metricsystem #metric
metricviews.uk/2026/02/16/m...
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Another consequence of the UK's failure to switch to kilometres
It seems the same computer system was being used across UK and Ireland for some car warranty applications, and km-odometer readings in Ireland were taken to be miles, leading to overcharging.
#metrication
www.europesays.com/ie/331140/
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A traditional glass mug of beer
Today marks the 200th anniversary of the end of the traditional ale pint 🍺.
Imperial measures led to a reduction in the size of a #pint of #beer, from about 578 ml to about 568 ml.
#metric #metrication #OTD
Our latest blog article:
The end of the traditional pint
metricviews.uk/2026/01/01/t...
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A Robertson's Christmas Pudding in its box 400 g METRIC PACK circa 1980
🎄 🎅 Merry Christmas 🎁 🎄
A metric-size Robertson's Christmas Pudding 🥳
400 g METRIC PACK - circa 1980
#ChristmasPudding #metricpack #metrication #metric #metricsystem #Christmas
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A switch to #metric speed limits would allow all speed limits to be reviewed at no extra cost.
#metricsystem #metrication #speedlimit
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT PRESS NOTICE 9 December 1970 NO SPEED LIMIT METRICATION Speed limits on Britain's roads are not to be metricated in 1973, as had been planned by the previous administration, and the Government has no alternative date in mind. This was announced today by Mr John Peyton, Minister for Transport Industries, answering a Question in the House of Commons. Mr Kenneth Warren MP asked for an estimate of the cost involved in alterations to vehicles and road signs of all kinds if metric distances and speed measurements were introduced in this country. Mr Peyton replied: "Nearly £2m for speed limit signs: the Government have, however, decided that speed limits will not be made metric in 1973 and have no alternative date in mind." In March 1969, Mr Richard Marsh, then Minister of Transport, in a statement on speed limit policy in Parliament, announced that, subject to further consultation, speed limits would be metricated in 1973. This was in the context of the former administration's intention to metricate the economy by 1975. Following this announcement, planning took place with local authorities on the best way to implement the change; but no new speed limit signs in metric terms have yet been put up. The metrication of other road signs to show distances, dimensions etc in metric terms had not yet reached the planning stage. The question of speeds and distances being expressed in metric terms will be considered again when it is seen to what extent metrication as a whole is accepted by the public, but this will not be for some years.
#OTD On this day 55 years ago, the Government postponed the introduction of #metric speed limits 🚗, previously scheduled for 1973.
#metrication #metricsystem
Our latest blog article: Metric speed limits – 55 years of dilly-dallying
metricviews.uk/2025/12/09/m...
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a cross section diagram of an ISO metric screw thread
On this day 60 years ago, the British standard for screw threads 🔩 went #metric.
On 23 November 1965, major sectors of British industry approved a BSI policy statement urging British firms to make ISO metric threads their first choice for all future designs.
#OTD #metricsystem #metrication #ISO
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A 1975 METRIC PACK of Kellogg's Corn Flakes. The back of the pack includes information about the switch to metric pack sizes: "Kellogg's and Metrication You will probably have noticed from the front of this packet that it has a new metric weight. It now contains 500 grammes (1.10 lb) of Corn Flakes in place of the previous 16 oz. Since the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, we have had to pack our flaked breakfast cereals in multiples of 4 ounces. This was the main reason why Corn Flakes were packed in 8 oz, 12 oz and 16 oz packet sizes. But now that Britain is changing to the metric weight system the Law has been amended to permit flaked cereals to be packed and sold in set metric quantities. This Giant pack, which previously held 16 ounces, will now contain 500 grammes (one of the new set quantities). So there are now 10% more Corn Flakes in the packet."
On this day 50 years ago, breakfast cereals went #metric.
On 1 November 1975, METRIC PACK sizes ⚖️ were introduced for flaked breakfast cereals 🌽❄️. Imperial pack sizes were withdrawn on 30 June 1978.
#OTD #metricsystem #metrication
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Our latest blog article: "Do British road signs display symbols or abbreviations?" #metric #metrication
metricviews.uk/2025/09/08/d...
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An imperial width restriction sign indicating a width restriction of 6 feet 6 inches, together with an equivalent metric sign from 1981 showing a width restriction of 2.0 metres. #metrication #metricsystem #metric
#OTD 44 years ago, #metric restriction signs 🚗 were introduced on 🇬🇧 UK roads.
From 13 August 1981, metric units 📏 could be used for the first time to indicate height, width and length restrictions on 🇬🇧 UK road signs.
Weight restriction signs went metric on the same day.
#metrication #roadsigns
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The Government agree that programmes for the different sectors of the economy can be properly co-ordinated only if there is some general guidance on the timing. They therefore accept the end of 1975 as the target date for all provisional programmes, with the qualification that if this date proves to be unreasonable for any particular sector, the programme may aim at an earlier or later date. Anthony Wedgwood Benn, Minister of Technology 26 July 1968 METRICATION HC Deb 26 July 1968 vol 769 cc1167-711167
#OTD 57 years ago, the Government confirmed that 1975 would be the end date for the UK's #metrication programme.
Speed limits were to go #metric in 1973, but that date was postponed.
50 years after the 1975 target date, we are still waiting for the Government to complete its metrication programme.
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#OTD 42 years ago, Air Canada 143 ran out of fuel due to a mix-up between imperial and metric units.
#metrication #metricsystem #GimliGlider
youtu.be/9wnja3h70DM
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Some belated international news:
In March 2025, Dubai completed the switch from imperial gallons to cubic metres as the unit of measure for water consumption.
#metrication #gallon #metricsystem @dewaofficial.bsky.social
dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/...
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165 years ago, in his opening address at the London meeting of the International Statistical Congress, on 16 July 1860, Prince Albert drew attention to the measurement muddle, and was in no doubt that it would have to go.
#metrication #metric #decimalisation #OTD
metricviews.uk/2025/07/15/p...
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#OnThisDay #OTD 60 years ago, President of the Board of Trade, Douglas Jay announced the Government's intention for the UK to switch to the #metricsystem 📏 ⚖️ within 10 years.
#metrication
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Today, 20 May 2025, is World Metrology Day #BIPM150 #metrication #metric
The World Metrology Day Symposium can be watched LIVE at this link now:
youtu.be/GEt30j80CN4
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Wynand Louw and Gert Rietveld, president and member of the CIPM, respectively, highlight efforts to ensure that measurements last "for all times" as well as the need to increase adherence to the Metre Convention, so that it is indeed "for all people".
#metrication #metric system
rdcu.be/emMMN
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A poster promoting World Metrology Day 20 May 2025 150 years of the Metre Convention "Measurements for all times, for all people"
20 May 2025 is World Metrology Day.
#OnThisDay #OTD 150 years ago, 17 nations signed the International Treaty of the Metre 📜📏, aka the Metre Convention.
This marked the establishment of the BIPM, the 🌐International Bureau of Weights and Measures ⚖️📏.
#BIPM150 #metrication #metric system
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Our latest blog article:
Are UK weather forecasts a form of gaslighting?
#Celsius #Fahrenheit #metricsystem #metrication
metricviews.uk/2025/05/15/a...
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How it started ... 1960s - All visuals in degrees Celsius. Fahrenheit begins to be phased out. How it's going ... 2025 - Still giving conversions in Fahrenheit.
The @metoffice.bsky.social switched to degrees #Celsius for all #weather reports 63 years ago, yet some TV forecasts 🌦️ still give temperatures in #Fahrenheit.
In contrast, Australia and Canada both managed the change in one day: 🇦🇺 1972-09-01, 🇨🇦 1975-04-01.
#metrication #metricsystem #bbc
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120 years later, John Wilkins' ideas went on to form the international #metric system.
However, after 357 years, the Department for Transport, responsible for UK road signs, has yet to be persuaded by this British proposal for universally understood decimal units of measurement.
#metrication
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A #metrication information leaflet for the construction industry, published by the Ministry of Public Building and Works in 1968. The leaflet details the metrication programme prepared by the British Standards Institution and agreed by all members of the construction industry.
The switch to the #metric system for timber was just one element of a comprehensive #metrication programme for the construction industry 🏗️🏠 which began in 1968 and was largely complete by 1972.
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I still mutter the litre and kilogram ones to myself when I need to do a conversion! The metre one not so much. #metrication #mnemonics
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Today marks the 20th anniversary of the #metrication of speed limits in the Republic of Ireland. 20 January 2005 was the day that all speed limits in Ireland switched from mph to km/h.
metricviews.uk/2025/01/20/2...
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The #metrication of UK 🇬🇧 speed limits was announced by Labour Minister of Transport, Richard Marsh, in 1969.
Scheduled for 1973, but postponed by the new Conservative government in December 1970, with "no alternative date in mind".
Time for a #reset? @heidialexander.bsky.social
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