Search Results

[Letter from the United States National Bureau of Standards]
Letter from the acting director of the U.S. National Bureau of Standards introducing the materials in the NBS Metric Kit. The kit was compiled to support the Metric Conversion Act, signed in December 1975, which would convert measurements used in the United States to the metric system of measurement. Includes an order form for additional materials and the metric kit envelope.
[United States National Bureau of Standards Metric Conversion Card]
Conversion card issued by the United States National Bureau of Standards containing conversion information for length, area, mass (weight), volume, and temperature (exact). The front lists "Approximate Conversions to Metric Measures" and includes a continuum of temperatures at the bottom and a centimeter ruler along the right side (to 8 cm.). The back of the card lists "Approximate Conversions from Metric Measures" and includes an inch ruler along the right side (to 3 in.).
[United States National Bureau of Standards Ruler]
Ruler issued by the United States National Bureau of Standards. The front includes measurements in centimeters (to 15) and inches (to 6); there is text on the back comparing metric and customary units for length, volume, and weight.
America Joins a Metric World
Pamphlet issued by the United States National Bureau of Standards discussing the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, the work of the U.S. Metric Board, and how government agencies are facilitating a switch to the metric system.
Brief History of Measurement Systems: with a Chart of the Modernized Metric System
Pamphlet issued by the United States National Bureau of Standards providing an overview of the English system of measurement used in the United States and of the metric system. The internal pages of the pamphlet contain a chart labeled "The Modernized Metric System" which includes tables of common conversions and a chart of the seven base units: meter/length, kilogram/mass, second/time, ampere/electric current, kelvin/temperature, mole/amount of substance, and candela/luminous intensity, as well as two supplementary units: radian/plane angle and steradian/solid angle. There is also a graphic representation of yards versus meters in ruler form at the bottom.
What About Metric?
Pamphlet issued by the United States National Bureau of Standards discussing the reasons that the U.S. decided passed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 and provides tables, illustrations, and formulas for converting between customary units and metric units of measuring weight, length, volume, and temperature. It also includes a discussion of how one might expect to use metric measurements in the marketplace, in the home, and at work.
Some References on Metric Information, Including a Chart on All You Need to Know About Metric
Pamphlet issued by the United States National Bureau of Standards containing a list of government pamphlets, reports, and other resources related to the metric system of measurement. It includes a form for ordering materials from the Government Printing Office as well as an illustrated description of everyday conversions for weight, volume, length, and temperature.
NBS Metric Kit: Official Metric Information
Kit issued by the U.S. National Bureau of Standards containing materials regarding conversion to the metric system of measurement. The kit includes a letter of introduction; an order form; two plastic cards printed with rulers and conversion information; and four booklets that discuss how the metric system is different from the English system of measurement, why America should switch, and reference materials for converting.
Back to Top of Screen