The kilogram was chosen as the unit of mass from "summary" of The Measure of All Things by Ken Alder

The kilogram was chosen as the unit of mass by an international group of scientists and politicians who gathered in Paris in 1799. The decision to adopt the kilogram as the fundamental unit of mass was not made lightly. It represented a significant shift in the way that mass was measured and understood. Prior to the adoption of the kilogram, there was no standardized system for measuring mass. Different countries and regions used different units of measurement, leading to confusion and inefficiency in trade and commerce. The adoption of the kilogram as the unit of mass was an attempt to bring order and consistency to the measurement of mass on a global scale. The kilogram was chosen for its simplicity and practicality. Unlike other units of mass, such as the pound or the stone, the kilogram was easy to understand and use. Its decimal-based system made it ideal for scientific and commercial applications. By adopting the kilogram as the unit of mass, the international community hoped to streamline the process of measuring mass and promote greater cooperation and understanding among nations. The decision to adopt the kilogram as the unit of mass was not without controversy. Some countries resisted the change, arguing that their own systems of measurement were superior. However, the majority of nations agreed that the kilogram was the best option for standardizing the measurement of mass. In the end, the kilogram was chosen as the unit of mass because it offered a clear and consistent standard for measuring mass across national borders. By adopting the kilogram, the international community took a significant step towards creating a more unified and interconnected world.

The Measure of All Things

Ken Alder

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