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Author: Christopher Joseph, general editor; contributions by Adam Parfitt, David Price and Marcus Weeks
Paperback: 224 pages
A comprehensive reference and history book on what is measured and why.
Measurement is one of humankind's oldest and most vital activities. By measuring height, speed, size, temperature, strength and many other factors, humans can compare, improve and progress. In fact, measurement is an essential tool for survival.
A Measure of Everything is a wide-ranging and comprehensive guide to what is measured and why.
The book begins when the basic measurements were as simple as more, less and enough. As societies evolved, relative measurements were no longer sufficient. Advances in language allowed more precise measurements. Short distances were measured in relation to parts of the human body. For example, the ancient measurement cubit was the length of a pharaoh's arm plus the width of his hand.
As society and culture progress and change, so do measurements. The rise of astronomy and the sciences demanded more exact measurements. These measurements are typically named after the discovering scientist, e.g., henry, curie, watt, rutherford, fahrenheit.
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