When I was taught the Metric System in elementary school it felt like we were being whisked into the future. I know it may sound like I'm putting too fine a point on it, but by joining the rest of the developed world (and more specifically, the scientific community) it felt like a step along a path to a global community.
Reagan tossed the whole thing and we were snapped back to feet, inches, ounces, pounds, Fahrenheit.
I have photos from road trips in the late 70's where Federal highway signs, like on mountain passes, have the elevation indicated in Meters. When I used Google street view I see we're back to regressive signage.
He did sign the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 into law. The measure declared that the metric system of measurement to be the preferred measurement system for U.S. trade and commerce.
But he also defunded the US Metric Board.
I suspect he didn't care about metric enough to fight other conservatives over it.
Reagan tossed the whole thing and we were snapped back to feet, inches, ounces, pounds, Fahrenheit.
I have photos from road trips in the late 70's where Federal highway signs, like on mountain passes, have the elevation indicated in Meters. When I used Google street view I see we're back to regressive signage.
I know, a minor nit.