@metrication.uk.bsky.social
Going Metric in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 metrication.uk 📏 ⚖️ 🌡️ 🚗 All things related to the UK's still-to-be-completed metrication programme
The cost can be reduced if the speed limit reduction takes place at the same time as a switch to metric speed limits.
“30” signs could be retained, but perhaps with the addition of a temporary “km/h” plate.
Metric also provides a more flexible range of speed limits.
metricviews.uk/2023/09/01/o...
A 1976 Silver Spoon 1 kilogram METRIC PACK of sugar
For 50 years now, the familiarity of the 1 kg bag of sugar has made it easy to visualise body weight ⚖️ changes in kilograms
To visualise weight changes in stones 🪨, we have ... oh!
The sale of #METRIC PACKs of sugar was first permitted 50 years ago today, on 1 October 1975
#thinkmetric #OTD #KISS
A British stamps "Day of Event" Cover, commemorating the #metrication of the Post Office #metrication on 29 September 1975. The envelope bears the words, "THE POST OFFICE GOES METRIC". The 8½p stamp is franked with the words, "NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM 29 SEP 1975 LONDON EC1".
No 50th anniversary special #stamps from the Post Office today, but here's an event day cover ✉️, from 50 years ago, commemorating the Post Office's 🏤 very own M-Day.
29.09.2025 06:08 — 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 2 📌 0
A 1975 Post Office poster titled, "Mail goes metric from 29 Sept". Some examples of the new weight steps INLAND letters 60g 100g 150g 200g 250g 300g 350g 400g 450g 500g 750g parcels 1kg 2kg 3kg 4kg 5kg 6kg 7kg 8kg 9kg 10kg OVERSEAS air-letters - Europe 20g 50g 100g air-letters - Outside Europe 15g 30g 40g Imperial equivalents for the new weight values are given in brackets.
#OTD On this day, 50 years ago, the Post Office 🏤 went #metric 📏.
On 29 September 1975, all ⚖️ weight-based 📮📦 postal tariffs switched to the #metric system.
POSTER: "Mail goes metric from 29 Sept"
metrication.uk/post-office/
22.09.2025 10:44 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
That diagram misses out cubic inches and cubic feet. Here's an amended one, plus the equivalent in #metric ...
21.09.2025 19:03 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
An old advert for the metric system of measurement. It is saying that 1 kilogram weighs 2 1/4lbs. Many goods are sold in quantities of 250 grams, 500 grams, etc. Weighing up the kilogram. Virtually every country in the world is metric, or, like Britain, is changing to metric now. Under the metric system the kilogram is used for measuring weight. It is pronounced 'killo-gram.' When you buy in metric weights, it may help to remember that 500 grams (half a kilogram) is just over 1 lb. Many goods are sold in quantities of 250 grams (1 kilogram), 500 grams (kilogram), etc. Already examples of goods sold by the kilogram are in the shops, for example-putty, plaster, and cement. Deodorants, cosmetics, shaving creams, hair sprays and many pharmaceutical products have been sold in metric sizes for some time, and most of the bathroom scales you can buy show dual marking. Where to get more information. More information is available from your local Trading Standards Officer or Consumer Protection Officer (Inspector of Weights and Measures), from your Citizens' Advice Bureau or your local Women's Institute or Rural Community Council. The Metrication Board 22 Kingsway, London WC2B 6LE Britain in the Metric World.
Sep 1974: Metric System ad from The Metrication Board
(+Cement; Plaster; Linseed Oil Putty; Deodorants; Cosmetics; Shaving Creams; Hair Sprays; Pharmaceutical Products; Dog Meat; and After Shave)
«Weighing up the kilogram.»
A diagram of a Rugby Union pitch showing all dimensions in round metric values. It includes the 22-metre and 10-metre lines.
2025 is the 50th anniversary of Rugby's switch to the #metric system for all measurements.
In 1975, the 25-yard line became the 22-metre line, and the crossbar height was set at 3.0 metres.
passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-...
METRIC PACKS of Homepride flour in the "Homepride Selection" catalogue leaflet, 1979
bsky.app/profile/oldu...
Sugar in 1 kg METRIC PACKS first appeared in the shops 49 years ago, in the summer of 1976:
bsky.app/profile/oldu...
This is the leaflet mentioned in the advert:
metrication.uk/shopping/foo...
This advertisement from The Metrication Board is designed to inform the public that butter is going metric. It states that new metric packs will weigh just over 10% more than the old sizes. And now butter goes metric too. The new metric packs weigh 10% more than the old sizes. Butter is going metric in the shops now. After 26 August all prepacked butter will be sold in metric quantities. On the right is the half pound pack of butter you're used to. The new 250 gram metric pack is below. A new 500 gram pack replaces the old 1 lb pack too. These new metric packs weigh just over 10% more. So they will go further - but they may cost you more for the extra butter. When it comes to cooking, for metric recipes measure only in metric. Or you can still use your old recipe books if you just weigh out ounces from the metric packs. Whatever you do, don't confuse yourself by mixing grams and ounces. Our 'Shopping in Metric 1979' leaflet helps you to compare weight and prices between the new packs and the old. Ask your retailer for one or write direct to us.
Aug 1979: Butter ad from The Metrication Board
«And now butter goes metric too. The new metric packs weigh 10% more than the old sizes.»
Road sign diagrams from the TSRGD 1981. Diagram 530 Headroom at hazard. Permitted variant: Metric units may be substituted for imperial units within the warning triangle. Diagram 629 Vehicles exceeding width indicated prohibited. Permitted variant: Metric units may be substituted for imperial units within the warning triangle. #metrication #roadsigns
At that time, metric restriction signs could only be used in combination with, and positioned below, an equivalent imperial sign.
44 years later, despite dual-unit signs being compulsory on all new signs installed since 2016, imperial-only signs are still in use.
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
A diagram comparing imperial and metric units of volume. 1 quart = 8 gills 1 firkin = 4.5 pecks 1 pint = 34.677 cubic inches 1 litre = 1000 millilitres @metrication.uk
For fun, here's an expanded version of the diagram, with a few more imperial units added, like cubic inches.
How many people know all the imperial conversion factors?
For anyone daunted by learning the metric system 📏, the equivalent #metric chart is included alongside.
A diagram with 3 images, showing one method for the #metrication of speed limit signs. The first image is of an imperial 50 mph sign - a red roundel showing the figure 50. The second image is of a transitionary metric 80 km/h sign - a red roundel showing the figure 80, with a supplementary plate below the roundel showing a symbol km/h. The third image is identical to the second, but with the supplementary km/h plate removed.
In 1969, Minister of Transport, Richard Marsh, announced plans to switch road 🚗 speed limit signs to kilometres per hour.
hansard.parliament.uk/%E2%80%8CCom...
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.
A diagram comparing imperial and metric units of volume. 1 quart = 8 gills 1 firkin = 4.5 pecks 1 pint = 34.677 cubic inches 1 litre = 1000 millilitres @metrication.uk
For fun, here's an expanded version of the diagram, with a few more imperial units added, like cubic inches.
How many people know all the imperial conversion factors?
For anyone daunted by learning the metric system 📏, the equivalent #metric chart is included alongside.
A page from an athletics programme for the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. It shows the competitors for the semi-finals of the 400 metres hurdles, together with the previous games winners for the 440 yards hurdles that this event replaces.
The 440 yards (402.34 m) hurdles in 1966, was replaced by the 400 metres hurdles in 1970.
The 220 yards (201.17 m) in 1966, was replaced by the 200 metres in 1970.
Four athletics programmes for the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
55 years ago this month, the Commonwealth Games went #metric.
In July 1970, athletics and swimming events switched to the metric system.
In track events 🏃, metres replaced yards.
In field events, metres (to 2 decimal places) 📏 replaced feet and inches.
In swimming 🏊, metres replaced yards.
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...
A diagram comparing imperial and metric units of mass. The relations between 11 different imperial units of mass are shown, including: 1 pound = 291.67 pennyweights 1 ton = 2722.2 troy pounds 1 stone = 3584 drams This is contrasted with the simple decimal relations of metric units of mass, such as: 1 kilogram = 1000 grams
The report noted:
"the serious loss of time incurred by English school children in having to learn the complicated system of tables of existing weights and measures.
... no less than one year’s school time would be saved if the metrical system were taught in place of that now in use." 🏫
#metric
#OnThisDay 130 years ago, the Select Committee on Weights and Measures ⚖️ proposed a rapid switch to the #metric system.
Published 1 July 1895, their report recommended:
"That after a lapse of two years the metrical system be rendered compulsory by Act of Parliament."
ukma.org.uk/wp-content/u...
A Post Office poster picturing the three new high value decimal stamps that were available from 17 June 1970. It reads: "Decimal High Value Definitive Stamps Three new high value decimal stamps 10p 20p and 50p will be on sale here from 17 June 1970"
#OnThisDay #OTD 55 years ago, the first British decimal stamps 🏤📮 were issued.
A 10p stamp might not seem "high value" today, but when stamps went #decimal in 1971, a 2nd class stamp ✉️ was 2½p.
The 10p, 20p and 50p stamps served as 2/-, 4/- and 10/- stamps until D-Day - 15 February 1971.
It's interesting that the #metre is much closer in length to the old Welsh yard of 40 inches, than it is to the 36-inch English yard.
1 metre = approx 39.4 inches
#llath #yard #metricsystem
"llath Gymreig: Welsh yard, about 40 inches."
welsh-dictionary.ac.uk/gpc/gpc.html...
#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
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
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
The posters highlight how metrology is driving innovation across multiple disciplines, topics covered by the posters include quantum technologies ⚛️ and advancements in health 🏥, industry 🏭, and energy ⚡.
20.05.2025 08:07 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0To mark the event, metrologists from around the world 🌍, have produced posters to showcase research that reflects the global impact of measurement science.
www.bipm.org/en/-/now-ava...
