Why America still uses Fahrenheit

Summary

The video discusses the ongoing debate around the use of Fahrenheit in the United States, highlighting the global preference for the Celsius scale. It traces the history of Fahrenheit, explaining how it became popular during the British Empire’s expansion. Despite efforts to switch to the metric system, including the 1975 Metric Conversion Act and the formation of a dedicated board, the US has struggled to adopt Celsius. The video also explores the practical consequences of this reluctance, such as challenges in education, trade, and public health, emphasizing the need for a metric shift.

Takeaways

• 😀 The majority of the world uses Celsius to measure temperature, unlike the US, which still uses Fahrenheit.
• 😀 The Celsius scale is simpler and more logical, with zero for freezing and 100 for boiling points of water.
• 😀 Fahrenheit was useful in the early 18th century, especially after the invention of the mercury thermometer in 1714.
• 😀 A significant error in a 1999 Mars satellite mission was caused by a conversion mistake between Fahrenheit and metric units.
• 😀 The Fahrenheit scale was created by a German scientist, who used a mix of ice, water, and salt for the zero point and set water's freezing point at 32°F.
• 😀 The British Empire spread the Fahrenheit system globally during the 18th and 19th centuries.
• 😀 The metric system, gaining traction during the French Revolution, eventually became more popular worldwide by the second half of the 20th century.
• 😀 The US attempted to switch to the metric system in the 1970s with the Metric Conversion Act, but it failed due to voluntary implementation and public resistance.
• 😀 The Metric Board, created in the 1970s to educate Americans about the metric system, was disbanded by President Reagan in 1982.
• 😀 Despite occasional pushes for the metric system in trade and commerce, there are still significant hurdles in convincing the US to switch due to the financial costs and time involved.

Q & A

Why is Fahrenheit still used in the United States, despite most countries using Celsius?

The U.S. continues to use Fahrenheit because of historical reasons, including its adoption during the 18th century when it was a widely accepted system. Despite the widespread use of Celsius worldwide, the U.S. has not fully transitioned to the metric system due to cultural and logistical challenges.

What are the main advantages of the Celsius scale over Fahrenheit?

Celsius is simpler because it has freezing and boiling points at round numbers—0°C and 100°C—making it easier to understand. The metric system, which includes Celsius, also facilitates easier conversions compared to the Fahrenheit scale.

How did the U.S.'s reluctance to switch to the metric system impact a space mission?

In 1999, a NASA satellite mission to Mars failed because of a conversion error between U.S. customary measurements (including Fahrenheit) and the metric system. This mistake led to a $125 million loss and delayed years of work on the mission.

Who invented the Fahrenheit scale, and what was the reasoning behind it?

The Fahrenheit scale was invented by German scientist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1714. He based the scale on the freezing point of a saltwater mixture (0°F), the freezing point of water (32°F), and the average human body temperature (96°F), which was later adjusted to 98.6°F.

How did the British Empire contribute to the spread of the Fahrenheit system?

The British Empire played a significant role in spreading the Fahrenheit system, as it was used in British colonies and territories during the 18th and 19th centuries. This contributed to the widespread adoption of Fahrenheit in many regions around the world.

What was the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, and why did it not result in a switch to the metric system in the U.S.?

The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 aimed to encourage the use of the metric system in the U.S., including educational efforts and voluntary changes. However, the shift was not mandatory, and public resistance, along with a lack of enforcement, led to its limited success.

What role did President Reagan play in the U.S. metrication efforts?

President Reagan disbanded the U.S. Metric Board in 1982, effectively halting the nation's efforts to switch to the metric system, as the conversion efforts were not successfully implemented due to lack of public support and enforcement.

How does the continued use of Fahrenheit and other imperial measurements affect U.S. education and businesses?

The continued use of Fahrenheit and imperial measurements complicates science education in the U.S., as students must learn both imperial and metric systems. Additionally, businesses spend extra money to produce separate products for the U.S. market and the rest of the world, leading to inefficiencies.

What is the connection between metrication and public health in the U.S.?

Conversion errors between U.S. customary units and metric units have contributed to unintentional medication overdoses, with thousands of children being affected annually. A standardized measurement system like the metric system could reduce such errors and improve public health safety.

What is the likelihood of the U.S. adopting the metric system in the near future?

The U.S. is unlikely to switch to the metric system in the near future unless there is clear economic benefit. The transition would require significant time, resources, and financial proof of its advantages, which has not yet been demonstrated convincingly.