A brief overview of the history of the US customary system.

1. The US Customary System
History and Application
Thomas A. Pray

2. Outline
• Who created the system?
• When was it conceived?
• How does it apply to real life?
• Reflection and Review
• References

3. Who created the system?
The US customary system wasn’t created by any one person in particular. In
fact, various politicians and government departments helped in
conceptualizing the system of weights and measurements that we use
today.The prominent among these wasThomas Corwin Mendenhall.As the
Superintendent ofWeights and Measurements, Mendenhall set forth the
“MendenhallOrder” onApril 5, 1893.This order established the international
meter and kilogram as the fundamental standards of length and mass.This
was later amended by an addendum entitled “Tables for Converting
Customary and MetricWeights and Measures”.The MendenhallOrder
established a finite base by which we could convert metric units to
customary units. (Judson, 1963)

4. Who Created the System?
Another prominent figure in the history of the US
customary system was A.V. Astin, Director of the
National Bureau of Standards. On June 25, 1959,
Astin received approval for the refinement of the
US yard and pound under the authority of the then
Under Secretary of Commerce, F. H. Mueller.
(Judson, 1963)

5. When was it conceived?
The US customary system was conceived through
over a century of standardizing and refinement.
The date of conception for the system we use
today can be perceived as July 1, 1959, when the
final refinements of the yard and pound were
entered into the Federal Register. (Judson, 1963)

6. How does it apply to real life?
Customary units are used in a number of domestic
functions. In my personal life I use customary units
nearly everyday when measuring ingredients for
recipes when I cook, i.e. cups, pints, teaspoons etc.
(Tillery,2005). Measurements for tailoring
garments are written in customary units as well
(Poulin, 1952).

7. Reflection and Review
Strengths
• Understanding the concept of the
customary system
• Finding practical applications for the
system in everyday life
Weaknesses
• Finding key figures and dates
• Finding sources for research
Oppurtunities
• I know understand the amount of
effort and dedication it took to
formulate the customary system we
use today
Threats
• History gives credit to the politicians
that put forth the standards, but not
the mathematicians that formulated
them.
• The project was an unexpected
departure from actual mathematic
computation.
The most important thing I learned from this project was the amount work and
rework that went into created the system we use today.The customary system is
involved in so many different industries in varying degrees, that is impossible not to
use it at some point in your life.

8. References
• Judson, L. (1963). Weights and Measures
Standards of the United States:A Brief History.
Ch. 7, p 16; Appendix 5 p 30-31.
• Tillery, C. (2005).The African American Heritage
Cookbook.
• Poulin, C. (1952).Tailoring Suits the Professional
Way.