Historia de las medidas - En su justa medida

Summary

This transcript delves into the fascinating history of measurement, tracing its origins from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia to its evolution through religious texts and the scientific revolution. It explores the development of measurement systems, from the use of body parts as units to the establishment of the metric system. The narrative intertwines cultural, technological, and political shifts, including the influence of the French Revolution and the eventual global standardization of units. The story highlights the intersection of science, technology, and daily life, showcasing how measurement has shaped both human progress and belief systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 The need for measurement has been intrinsic to humanity since ancient times, particularly for agricultural and commercial purposes.
• 😀 The science of metrology (measurement) has evolved alongside human civilizations, with cultures using the human body as a standard for measuring units like the cubit.
• 😀 The ancient Egyptians developed a meticulous system for measurement to ensure the accuracy of their pyramid constructions, with the cubit being central to their methods.
• 😀 Ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Incas, used body parts like the cubit as a standard measure, linking religion and measurement in their societies.
• 😀 The ancient Egyptian belief system intertwined measurement with religious rituals, such as weighing hearts in the afterlife, which was depicted in the Book of the Dead.
• 😀 Measurement systems were not uniform in medieval Europe, leading to discrepancies, as seen in the varying definitions of the 'cantara' across regions.
• 😀 The French Revolution introduced the metric system, with the Academy of Sciences establishing standardized units of measurement like the meter and kilogram in 1791.
• 😀 The metric system was gradually adopted worldwide, with notable efforts in Argentina and Brazil, where political and cultural resistance shaped the adoption process.
• 😀 International cooperation led to the creation of the International System of Units (SI) in 1960, defining modern measurement standards.
• 😀 Today, measurements are based on physical constants like the speed of light, marking a departure from material-based reference models used in earlier metrology.

Q & A

Why has the need for measurement always been crucial for humanity?

Humans have always needed measurement to manage various aspects of life, such as determining the right time for planting crops, weighing grains for trade, and creating systems for fair exchanges. Measurement has shaped the development of societies and economies.

How did ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians, use measurement in their daily lives?

The ancient Egyptians used measurement for various purposes, such as agriculture, construction, and religious rituals. Their units of measurement, such as the 'cubit', were based on human anatomy, and they had a highly precise system of measurement to construct magnificent structures like the pyramids.

What was the significance of the cubit in ancient Egypt?

The cubit was a primary unit of length, representing the distance from the middle finger to the elbow. It was used in construction and agriculture. The Egyptians ensured its accuracy by calibrating the wooden rods used for measuring against a marble standard.

How did measurement play a role in the religious beliefs of ancient Egypt?

Measurement was linked to religious practices, such as in the weighing of the heart in the afterlife. The god Anubis used a scale to weigh the heart of the deceased against a feather, symbolizing truth and justice. This process determined the fate of the soul.

How were the Incas in America similar to the ancient Egyptians in terms of measurement?

Like the Egyptians, the Incas used a unit of measurement based on the human body, the 'cubo,' which was similar to the Egyptian cubit. Both civilizations used these measurements for construction, trade, and agriculture.

How did the measurement systems vary across different regions during the Middle Ages?

During the Middle Ages, measurement systems were inconsistent, with local variations in units of length and volume. For example, the 'cantara' used in Spain had different values in different regions, which created confusion and difficulty in trade.

What major change in measurement occurred during the French Revolution?

During the French Revolution, the French Academy of Sciences established the metric system, defining the meter and kilogram based on natural constants. This standardized measurement system was meant to be universal and replace the inconsistent systems used previously.

How did the metric system come to be adopted globally?

The metric system was gradually adopted by nations around the world through international agreements, such as the 1875 'Treaty of the Meter' in Paris, where 18 countries, including Argentina, agreed to use the metric system. Over time, it became the global standard for measurement.

How did Argentina contribute to the development of international measurement standards?

Argentina played a role in the international adoption of the metric system, with officials like Mariano Balcarce representing the country at the 1875 'Treaty of the Meter.' Argentina eventually made the metric system mandatory in 1887.

What role did technology play in the evolution of measurement systems?

As technology advanced, the ability to measure more accurately grew. Today, digital tools and complex physical experiments, such as measuring the speed of light or the charge of an electron, are used to define and refine measurement standards.