6 Strange Units of Measurement We Still Use

TL;DR

This video explores unusual units of measurement such as smoots, furlongs, barleycorns, micromorts, banana equivalent dose (BED), barns, and their significance in different fields.

Transcript

[♩INTRO ] In 1958, an MIT student named Oliver Smoot measured a bridge as part of a fraternity pledge. But he wasn’t allowed to use a ruler or a tape measure. He had to use himself. He laid down at the start of the bridge, a couple of students marked where his head and his feet were, and then he moved over and laid down again. After an hour and a h... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤗 Unconventional units of measurement have historical origins, such as smoots, furlongs, and hands, which were derived from past practices.
• 🦻 Micromorts provide a statistical understanding of the risks associated with different activities, aiding in decision-making.
• 😒 The use of unconventional units can vary across different fields, leading to variations in the concept of a jiffy and the measurements of electrical cycles.
• 💨 The BED offers a way to understand radiation exposure and compare risks in different situations.
• 🫀 The barn is a unit used in atomic and nuclear physics to quantify particle interactions.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the unit of measurement called smoots originate?

Smoots originated when an MIT student measured a bridge using his body, and the unit was named after his last name, Smoot.

Q: Why are horse heights measured in hands rather than centimeters or inches?

Horse heights are measured in hands because it is a traditional unit that is a third of a foot, making it more convenient for equestrians.

Q: How are shoe sizes determined based on the barleycorn?

Shoe sizes are based on the barleycorn, with each size being one barleycorn longer than the previous size. The system starts with size 0 for kids and increases by one barleycorn for each size.

Q: What is the significance of the banana equivalent dose (BED)?

The BED represents the radiation exposure one receives from the radioactive potassium isotope in bananas. It helps compare radiation levels in various activities, such as medical tests and international flights.

Q: How did the barn become a unit of measurement?

The barn became a unit of measurement in atomic and nuclear physics as a way to express the cross-sectional area of atom interactions. It was named after the analogy of hitting the broadside of a barn.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1958, an MIT student called Oliver Smoot measured a bridge using his body, resulting in the creation of the unit called smoots.

• Older units of measurement, such as furlongs and hands, originated from farming practices and are still used today in horse racing and land measurement.

• Shoe sizes are based on the barleycorn, a small grain of barley that was historically used for measurement.

• Micromorts are a unit for expressing the risk of death associated with certain activities, providing a statistical understanding of dangers.

• The concept of a jiffy varies across different fields, including physics, engineering, and computer science.

• The banana equivalent dose (BED) represents the amount of radiation one receives from the radioactive isotope of potassium found in bananas.

• The barn is a unit used in atomic and nuclear physics to measure cross-sectional areas, aiding in understanding particle interactions.

• Unconventional units of measurement help facilitate communication and understanding in specific fields.