Why does the United States use miles instead of kilometers?

Miles to Go Before We Sleep: The Enduring Legacy of the Imperial System in the United States

In the realm of measurement, the United States stands out as an anomaly, clinging to the imperial system while the vast majority of the world has embraced the metric system. This peculiar divergence has its roots in the nation’s colonial past and a deep-seated resistance to perceived foreign ideologies.

The Imperial Inheritance

When the English settlers arrived in North America in the 17th century, they brought with them their own measurement system, a legacy of the Roman Empire. This system, known as the imperial system, employed units such as feet, inches, pounds, and gallons. Over time, the imperial system became deeply ingrained in American society, influencing everything from road signs to recipe books.

Metric Resistance

As the world began to embrace the metric system, a decimal-based system based on the meter and the kilogram, the United States remained steadfast in its adherence to the imperial system. This resistance was often fueled by a perceived link between metrication and foreign ideologies, particularly those associated with communism. The association with foreignness stemmed from the fact that the metric system was widely adopted in Europe, while the imperial system was primarily used in the United States and its former colonies.

Practical Considerations

Beyond ideological resistance, the United States also cited practical reasons for retaining the imperial system. Businesses argued that the cost of converting machinery and infrastructure to metric units would be prohibitive. Consumers also expressed concerns about the inconvenience of having to learn a new measurement system.

A Question of Culture

In addition to practical and ideological factors, the imperial system has become deeply embedded in American culture. It is used in everyday speech, from describing distances to measuring ingredients. This cultural familiarity has further entrenched the imperial system in the United States, making it even more difficult to adopt the metric system.

Future Prospects

Despite the widespread use of the imperial system, there have been sporadic attempts to introduce the metric system in the United States. However, these efforts have largely failed, often due to a lack of public support. It seems that the imperial system, with its centuries-old legacy and cultural significance, is unlikely to be replaced anytime soon.

Thus, the United States remains an outlier in the world of measurement, preserving a system that is a relic of its colonial past and a testament to the enduring influence of tradition and cultural identity.