Historia de la medida

Summary

The transcript explores the evolution of measurement systems throughout history, beginning with early civilizations using basic methods to measure time, weight, and distance based on human body parts and natural cycles. It covers developments in ancient Egypt and China, and the contributions of Greece and Rome to measurement standards. The video also delves into the challenges of unifying measurement systems during the medieval period, the eventual rise of the metric system, and its adoption in Europe, alongside the persistence of older units in places like Britain. The narrative highlights the role of Napoleon and the foundation of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in 1875.

Takeaways

• 😀 Early civilizations developed rudimentary systems of measurement for survival, travel, and agriculture.
• 😀 Measurement systems were initially based on body parts (e.g., foot, cubit) and natural cycles (e.g., moon phases).
• 😀 Ancient Egypt and China were pioneers in developing measurement systems for construction and trade.
• 😀 The Egyptian cubit was based on the distance from elbow to extended fingers, with a standardized official measurement of 52.4 cm.
• 😀 Ancient Chinese measurement systems were initially inconsistent, with units varying based on usage, until the Qin Dynasty unified them.
• 😀 The Greeks used body parts like fingers and feet for measurements, while the Romans introduced more complex systems based on multiples of 12.
• 😀 The Roman system influenced European medieval measurements, and it included units like the foot, inch, and mile.
• 😀 Medieval Europe used a mix of Roman, Egyptian, and Greek systems, with variations between regions and the influence of Arabs and Scandinavians.
• 😀 By the 17th century, France had over 700 different measurement units, highlighting the chaos in European measurement standards before unification.
• 😀 The metric system, introduced during the French Revolution, simplified measurements with decimal-based units, making it the international standard in most countries.
• 😀 The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), founded in 1875, plays a key role in maintaining and improving global measurement standards.

Q & A

What was the initial need for systems of measurement in early civilizations?

Early civilizations needed systems of measurement to travel, cultivate crops, and survive various climates. These systems were essential for measuring livestock, seeds, oil, and time based on the moon or winter durations.

How were early measurements of length and weight determined?

Early measurements of length were based on body parts, such as the length of a foot, finger, or arm. Weight was often measured using containers or what a person or animal could carry.

What did early systems of measurement for time rely on?

The first attempts to measure time were based on the cycles of the sun and moon.

How did measurement systems evolve as societies grew?

As societies developed, they invented more sophisticated technologies, leading to more accurate and complex measurement systems, including the creation of numeral systems.

Why is the concept of 'zero' important in measurement?

'Zero' is a key concept in measurement because it signifies the absence of a quantity. Without zero, there would be no way to represent or measure nothing.

How did ancient Egypt approach measurements?

In ancient Egypt, the 'codo' (cubit) was used for length, based on the distance from the elbow to the extended fingers of the arm. The standard cubit was 52.4 cm, and it was divided into smaller units like the 'dígito' (digit).

What were the characteristics of the measurement systems used in China?

China used a measurement system based on the distance between the wrist and the base of the thumb. However, there were inconsistencies, as the same unit could vary in size depending on its use.

How did the Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang contribute to standardizing measurements?

In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the measurement systems in China, adopting the 'Shin' for weight and the 'Chi' and 'Chang' for length, with units based on the decimal system.

How did the Greek and Roman measurement systems influence later civilizations?

The Greeks used units like the 'digit' for length and 'talento' for weight. The Romans adopted a system based on 12, dividing the foot into 12 inches and using units like the 'libra' for weight. These systems influenced European and medieval measurement systems.

How did the metric system revolutionize measurement?

The metric system introduced a decimal-based system of measurement that was not tied to any specific country. It simplified the calculation of areas and volumes, using units like the meter and kilogram, and was widely adopted after Napoleon's invasions.