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World in the Balance: The Historic Quest for an Absolute System of Measurement - Couverture souple

Crease, Robert P.

 
9780393343540: World in the Balance: The Historic Quest for an Absolute System of Measurement
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 0393343545 ISBN 13 : 9780393343540
Editeur : WW Norton & Co, 2012

Synopsis

In this epic story of the invention of a global network of weights, scales and instruments for measurement, Robert P. Crease traces the evolution of the system, from the use of flutes to measure distance in the dynasties of ancient China and figurines to weigh gold in West Africa, to the creation of the French metric and British imperial systems. Into this captivating history Crease weaves stories of colourful individuals, including Thomas Jefferson, an advocate of the metric system and philosopher Charles S. Peirce, the first to tie the metre to the wavelength of light. Tracing the dynamic struggle for ultimate precision, World in the Balance demonstrates that measurement is both stranger and more integral to our lives than we ever suspected.

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À propos de l'auteur

The chairman of the Philosophy Department at Stony Brook University, Robert P. Crease writes the "Critical Point" column for Physics World. He is the author of, among other books, The Great Equations.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
WW Norton & Co
Date d'édition
2012
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
0393343545
ISBN 13 
9780393343540
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
320
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible