Mathematical Chart, Metric System
date: label: date made
content: ca 1891
name: label: maker
content: American Metrological Society
notes: label: Description
content: In the wake of the Revolution of 1789, French scientists developed a new system of weights and measures known in English-speaking countries as the metric system. A handful of early 19th-century American mathematics textbooks discussed metric measurements. In the 1860s, metric measures were legalized in the United States, although they were not mandatory. A few advocates of the new system, most notably the distinguished librarian Melville Dewey, joined together to form the American Metrological Society and to advocate the use of metric measures. This chart was prepared by the Society for classroom use.
label: Description
content: The tan paper chart shows a meter length divided into decimeters, centimeters, and millimeters. It also shows a liter container and a block 1,000 cubic centimeters in size. It gives the value in United States currency of silver coins weighing from 1 gram to 1000 grams. A mark at the bottom front of the chart reads: Copies of this chart will be mailed on receipt of ten cents in postage stamps. (/) ADDRESS AMERICAN METROLOGICAL SOCIETY, 41 EAST 49TH ST., N.Y. CITY.
label: Description
content: <I>Science</I> magazine noted publication of the chart in 1891, which is used as the approximate date of the object. This example was found uncatalogued in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: New York, New York City
topic: label: Subject
content: Mathematics
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content: Medicine and Science: Mathematics
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content: Mathematical Charts and Tables
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content: Metric System
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content: Science & Mathematics
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content: Measuring & Mapping
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Transfer from Smithsonian Institution Libraries
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1990.3012.01
label: catalog number
content: 1990.3012.01
label: nonaccession number
content: 1990.3012
objectType: label: Object Name
content: mathematical table
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: paper (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: .1 cm x 109.5 cm x 43.5 cm; 1/32 in x 43 1/8 in x 17 1/8 in