When asked about the characteristics of this or that thing, probably, among other features will be named its mass.Today, the weight of most of the countries are measured in kilograms.But it was not always, and now use a different system.
necessary measurements
The need to understand how much weighs this or that thing, probably arose simultaneously with the advent of commodity-money relations.What had previously been such calculations?Divide the harvest, something to sell or buy - all these actions require at least a rough measurement of weight.This in turn requires the introduction of a more or less universal and understandable to most units, as well as special devices - scales.That's in different states were their own systems, some of which exist today.
History: The examples in the West
As you know, up to a point, England was the leading power and that its imperial system of measures over time, began to use the majority of European states, as well as the colonies.In her version of the mass indicated as follows:
| name | Description | appropriate modern units |
| Drachma | One of the smallest units | 1,77 g |
| Ounce | is 16 drachmas | 28,35 g |
| Pound | There are several varieties, one of the most common units | 453,59 g |
| quaternium | is 3.5 pounds | 159 kg |
| Stone | Mainly used to measure the mass of the human body | 6,35 kg |
| Short handreyveyt | used in agriculture | 45,36 kg |
| Long handreveyt | Appearedin connection with the special prepacking coal, is now hardly ever used | 50,8 kg |
| English (long) ton | of 20 long handreveytam | 1016,05 kg |
| Kiel | Meets 47488 pounds | 21540.16 kg |
Thus, the remnants of the system still exist in one form or another.Despite long the changed standards in many areas are still used the old measures of weights.But gradually they still are displaced.
Since the bulk material weighing more complicated, as a rule, it is more convenient to start from the scope of the measures.English for this is mainly used a pint of about 0,568 liters.The measure with the same name is now used in the United States, but it is already equivalent to 0.55 liters.
In Russia and in Russia
Prior to the adoption of the standard system there is the, partially overlap with the British.Some units were of the same name, but different value, which in international trade turning into a terrible mess.Thus, in Russia, the following measures of weights:
| name | Description | modern line |
| Share (drachma) | The smallest Old Russian unit | 0,044 g |
| Spool | Raven 96 shares | 4,224 g |
| Lot | was 3 spool | 12,797 g |
| Pound | taken from the English system | 409,5 g |
| Pud | equals 40pounds | 16,38 kg |
| Berkovets | 10 pounds | 163,8 kg |
Obviously, part of the English name migrated from the system, although preserved ancestral.Especially in this case, alien looks measure weights "pound", which, however, it has taken root.Some names
used now, but with a different meaning.For example, the hryvnia was the name of the monetary unit.
course, traditional Russian measure of weight - a pud, which is reflected in numerous aphorisms.Perhaps with her loss I have lost a large part of identity, but for the sake of convenience, sometimes you have to sacrifice something.Pud remained in people's memory, proverbs, sayings and just winged expressions.
Bulk products evaluated by special "bread" measures - quarter, Osmino and flippers.For liquids also used bushel and Garnets.
eastern states
China, Japan and other Asian countries has always been a mystery to Europeans.These states have developed their own, so it is not surprising that they were their own measures of weight and volume.Despite the fact that China has long adopted a standard system, which will be discussed below, in the markets, even in the central cities of the trading unit is jin of 0.5 kg.That is why you must be careful when shopping.In another way this unit is sometimes called a Chinese pound.
in several countries in South-East Asia also used a similar unit - Kathy, equal to about 600 grams.It is still used in Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Burma.
Special measures
Use standard system is not always convenient.For example, not every woman in the kitchen holding the scales to accurately measure the mass of products in accordance with the recipe.Yes, we use special jars with the marks, especially for bulk products, but, nevertheless, the majority of women prefer to use to measure their own dishes.This habit has been grafted the majority of Russian housewives their mothers and grandmothers, because all the glasses in the USSR, for example, were quite standard.So this method has been very useful if the recipes were passed from friend to friend.Although this system is gradually receding into the past, some housewives continue to rub or put any food "by eye", or use the familiar and the familiar "glasses", "teaspoons" and "pinch".
Aptekarskaya system
At all times, the preparation of medicines required the most careful calculations and measurements
.After all, according to the well-known expression, belonging to Paracelsus, everything - poison everything - medication;both determines the dose.So what pharmacists need to have the most accurate weights and measures standards, the most stringent, because the slightest deviation from the recipe was in the best effects such as inefficient funds.
That is why the system measures weight for pharmacists was separate.Still around the values are different, even if they were borrowed.
| name | Description | In England | in Russia |
| Grand | The smallest chemist measure weights | 64,8 mg | 62,2 mg |
| scruple | is 20 Granite | 1,295 g | 1,244 g |
| Drachma | 3 scruple | 3,888 g | 3,73 g |
| ounce | 8 drachmas | 31,103 g | 29,8 g |
| pound 12 ounces | 373,242 g | 358,323 g |
So, it is clear that the difference in the system could lead to unpleasant consequences
enough.In addition to her title matches pharmaceutical and trade measures could also cause confusion.That is why there was a general need for
unification - so that measures the weights were the same everywhere.
Over time, the system was developed, which is now used by the majority as the manufacture of medicines, as well as in trade.A chemist measure of the balance is gone, leaving a legacy of pharmacists incredibly precise measuring instruments.
modern standard system
became clear that disparate measures inconvenient weights translate into each other.Given that some names coincide, and their values - no, the question arose of administration of common standards.The first steps to implement the initiatives have been taken after the French Revolution.In 1875 he was signed by the Metre Convention, so that was created more or less common system of measures of weight, length, temperature and other variables.She repeatedly supplemented and improved.The result was a so-called International System of Units (SI) is based on seven core values: meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole and candela.
Currently, all countries of the world, except for the three adopted this standard as the primary or sole.The exceptions are the United States, Liberia and Myanmar.That is why Americans are not accustomed to the conventional units often lost overseas and confused.
Standard
What made per kilogram?It would seem a strange question, but it is not meaningless.The International Bureau of Weights and Measures is the answer, because it is stored there standard kilogram.It is formed as a cylinder of an alloy of platinum and iridium and having a diameter and a height of 39.17 mm.So you can see a real kilogram of their own eyes.
