Imperial Measures

[MissMoppet]

I may be wrong here but I seem to remember that the ill fated Apollo 13 blew up on launch because there was a miscalculation in converting Imperial to Metrics for a vital O ring size?

[another_clean_sheet]

Originally Posted by MissMoppet

I may be wrong here but I seem to remember that the ill fated Apollo 13 blew up on launch because there was a miscalculation in converting Imperial to Metrics for a vital O ring size?

I do not think that was Apollo 13 as that was caused by faulty wire insulation in an oxygen tank and caused an explosion of the tank and a shortage of oxygen. Hence the well known quote "Houston we have a problem."

[2750 HP]

https://www.historyhit.com/apollo-1-launch-pad-fire/

[MarkS]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Don't forget Nature already gave us a start with metric fingers.---Oh, and toes too.

Just in case we need to count up to twenty.----

I used to practice counting up to 11 when I had my hands in my pockets.
But I rarely saw the advantage of it, and in old age, have reverted back to the metric system of counting to 10.

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by MarkS

I used to practice counting up to 11 when I had my hands in my pockets.
But I rarely saw the advantage of it, and in old age, have reverted back to the metric system of counting to 10.

Start with one hand---1,2,3,4,5

Start with the other hand---10,9,8,7,6

6 plus five gives you those 11 fingers.----Easy.---

[Dorset Bob]

Originally Posted by MSS

The US is actually a dual system country - IS and Metric. And for IS, they have their own mods e.g. US Gallons.

Internationally the US trade in metric.

The U.S. gallon is actually a Old English gallon at the time it was adopted.
We got rid of the "Queen Anne" gallon in 1824, and came up with a larger one.

By this time, the Americans were off doing their own thing.
They stayed with the original size that we put in place, when we were the boss over there.

[roverbarmy]

Originally Posted by Dorset Bob

The U.S. gallon is actually a Old English gallon at the time it was adopted.
We got rid of the "Queen Anne" gallon in 1824, and came up with a larger one.

By this time, the Americans were off doing their own thing.
They stayed with the original size that we put in place, when we were the boss over there.

Give them an inch and they'll take a yard!

Morning all.

[mbev51]

I'm almost 71, i can remember learning my 14 and 16 times table, i still know my 16. The head used to come round every so often testing us, not only on accuracy of the reply, but also on speed of reply. He used to build up a line of pupils who failed to come up to standard, then when he was salisfied he used to cane them enthusiastically. I still remember his name.

[wraymond]

I had a similar experience but from another perspective. No degree for me, nor even a 'grammar' school! Far too posh. Secondary Modern for the four years.
Top of the English class for every one of them, each one down to the wonderful Welsh teacher David Jones who was an inspiration. Maths? Er, not so good. 'Doc' Jenner was a nice man but no teacher.

Our 'Head' was a war-time ex-pilot and an absolute stickler for discipline. Any infringement resulted in the cane. He would take a one-legged backward step with his wooden replacement, and, after careful pause, let fly with the swing with all his might and considerable weight on the other good one. A real pain in the you- know-where.

[Borg Warner]

I was somewhat let down by my secondary school and left with very poor exam grades. Struggled through my C&G apprenticeship and even managed to start my HNC but dropped it for a very good reason.

Earlier 90s my wife talked me into signing up to the OU and I graduated after 7 years. Loved it and it served me well over the next years of my career.

Life's what you make it and one should turn problems into advantages. Cos no one else will do it for you.