Origins in the French Revolution
The metric system emerged during the French Revolution. Amid sweeping changes, France needed a unified measurement system—local units varied, hindering trade and science.
The Birth of the Meter
Originally, the meter was defined as one ten‑millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the equator along a meridian through Paris—chosen to be “natural” and universal.
Key Dates in Metric System History
- • 1789: French Revolution begins
- • 1791: First definition of the meter proposed
- • 1799: First metric standards established
- • 1875: Meter Convention signed by 17 nations
- • 1960: SI system established
- • 2019: SI base units redefined via physical constants
Global Adoption
From French innovation to global standard, adoption took time. Today, only Myanmar, Liberia, and the U.S. haven’t fully adopted metric as the primary system.
The Modern SI System
The SI (est. 1960) is the modern metric system. In 2019, all base units were redefined in terms of fundamental constants.
The Seven SI Base Units
- • Meter (length)
- • Kilogram (mass)
- • Second (time)
- • Ampere (electric current)
- • Kelvin (temperature)
- • Mole (amount of substance)
- • Candela (luminous intensity)
Legacy and Future
The metric system showcases global coordination. As our world connects further, universal standards matter even more.