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Weights and measures have played a fundamental role in the development and progress of human civilization. So integrated is the role played by weights and measures in our contemporary world; that we often fail to realize their significance in the larger fabric of trade, commerce, industry, transport and communication. The use of weights helped primitive man progress beyond the barter system of trade thereby laying the basic foundation of a more refined, organized and efficient trade system. In today's world, the study of weights and measures has evolved into the highly developed science of Metrology.
Rudimentary developments, in the concept of weights can be traced back to 6000 years in time. Small objects such as grains of seeds due to their weight and size consistency, became the unit of measure in the earliest forms of trade.
The earliest records of the usage of balances can be traced to the Mesopotamian civilization (4000 BC). The 'balance' comprised of a cord passing through a straight piece of wood. Scale pans were suspended by cords that were passed through holes at the end of the beam. Accuracy however was substantially compromised by the continual movement of the cords. Several hundred years later, the ancient Egyptians introduced refinements to this basic model, to improve accuracy.
None of these methods could compare however, to the accuracy of glass weights developed by the ancient Arabs, for weighing money. While these glass weights were developed over a thousand years ago, their amazing accuracy to within one third of a milligramme has baffled scientists to date.
With the passage of time, the decrees of monarchs and contributions of scientists through progressive periods of civilization, ensured continual developments in the system of weights and measures. The Romans introduced the pound weight (lb) which was derived from the Roman word 'Libra' whereas Elizabeth I standardized the pound by dividing it into 16 ounces. The Romans introduced the steelyard whereas the French developed the metric system by linking physical properties through interrelated units. The Egyptians refined the balance whereas the Arabs developed the concept of glass weights for weighing money.
The contributions of legendary scientist such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Gilles Personne de Robervale, John Wyatt amongst others, enriched and accelerated developments in the field of weights and measures. The knowledge and scientific advancements garnered through the past centuries have been successfully assimilated in our contemporary world, providing us the benefit of consistent, efficient and accurate systems around the globe.
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