U.S. Metric Association
(www.metric.org)

2008-04-27: Added an explanation of how to use the 1970's era GM metric unit converter. And here's how to get one, while the supply lasts.

2008-04-25: Added the tale of the escape of the 250-kilogram tortoise to the unit mixups page.

2008-04-14: Added a reprint of a Metric Reporter article about Anderton-Darby to the Going Metric Pays Off page.

2008-04-10: Added a reprint of a Metric Today article about Xerox to the Going Metric Pays Off page.

2008-04-09: PDF of 2008-May/Jun issue of Metric Today is now available online for USMA members.

2008-04-08: Now available—and free to USMA members—this 1970's-era GM metric unit converter, while the supply lasts.

2008-04-04: Updated the metric road signs section to add distance markers on the Eliza Furnace Trail in Pittsburgh PA, and distance markers on the Harriman Trail in Sun Valley ID.

2008-03-13: The greatly-revised Practical Guide to the International System of Units page, designed mainly for teachers and adults, is now available for learning the metric system.

2008-03-13: A PDF containing a PowerPoint-like slide presentation, for readers who wish to present the material to others has been added as a link to the Why teach the metric system (SI)? page.

2008-02-22: PDF of 2008-Mar/Apr issue of Metric Today is now available online for USMA members.

2008-02-08: Now available from USMA, "Think Metric" mugs, while the supply lasts.

2008-01-09: Added photos to the soft drinks and desserts categories of the products in metric sizes section. Also added a few brand names and sizes to some of the categories' lists.

2007-12-29: Added a document intended for business members converting to metric to the revised Metrication Resources for Businesses page.

2007-12-18: Added a reprint of a Metric Today article about an Indiana firm to the metric pays off page.

2007-12-17: PDF of 2008-Jan/Feb issue of Metric Today is now available online for USMA members.

2007-12-17: Added a reprint of a Metric Today article about Kodak Co to the metric pays off page.

2007-12-13: Updated the Metric Act of 1866 page in the laws section to include the 2007 amendment of that law.

2007-12-05: Added more news stories to the Did You Know That page, extracts of articles that appeared in Metric Today in 2007.

2007-11-29: Updated the products in metric sizes pages to add a cookie can to the cookies page and blueberries to the fruits and vegetables page.

2007-11-28: Updated the metric road signs section to add a street sign at the intersection of Metric Blvd and Centimeter Cir in Austin TX.

2007-11-23: Added a reprint of a Metric Today article about Caterpillar Inc to the metric pays off page.

2007-11-19: Added a reprint of a Metric Today article about General Motors to the metric pays off page.

2007-11-18: Updated the products in metric sizes page to add a 3-liter milk carton to the milk page.

2007-11-10: Added a page showing current and historical official definitions of SI units. Also added a question about angles to the FAQ.

2007-11-05: Updated the metric road signs section to add a road sign with metric distance in Pope County IL.

2007-11-02: Added a reprint of a Metric Reporter article about Brown & Sharpe to the metric pays off page.

This plastic circular metric unit converter, distributed by General Motors in the 1970s, is available free to USMA members—or $1 for non-members—while the supply lasts. To get one, send your name and address (plus $1, if you're not a USMA member) to USMA, 10245 Andasol Ave, Northridge CA 91325-1504. No e-mails or phone calls, please. Want more than one? Just add $1 for each additional converter. Need help using it? Here's how it works.

This 250 mL mug is dark blue with gold printing showing names and symbols of common SI units, and is available for $15 each (including shipping and handling) while supplies last.

To order, send your name and address and $15 per mug to USMA, 10245 Andasol Avenue, Northridge CA 91325-1504.

• Where did USMA get its copy of the prototype meter bar?
• Why didn't the U.S. go metric in the 1830s?
• Who made metric fudge on TV?
• What didn't the National Math Panel recommend?

Metric Today is a membership benefit of joining USMA

Titled SI Units, the poster contains the seven SI base units and most of the SI derived units with special names. Printed in two colors, black and red, the poster looks very similar to the adjacent illustration. Suitable for mounting on a wall, this 28 cm by 43 cm poster was developed to accompany a set of materials sent to schools in the Montgomery County (Washington DC) area. A large supply of these posters remain, and USMA will send them free for the cost of shipping and handling.

A updated easy-to-use 34-page metric system style guide that shows the metric system units and symbols (short forms) and gives rules for using them. Appendixes contain information on technical units used in industry, conversion factors for the most commonly used units, and tips for remembering the everyday units and their sizes. This guide is also a very useful reference for teachers. Click here for a Table of Contents.