Discusses the origins of standard units of measurement and how they have changed from ancient times to modern day, and describes systems of measurement, including the metric and Imperial systems and the Système International.

Includes index.

Introduction --chapter 1. Systems of measurement -- Early forms of measurement -- Ancient Mediterranean measures -- Global systems -- The English-speaking world -- Imperial and customary -- The origins of the metric system -- The Système international -- Metrication in the United States -- chapter 2. A measure of length -- Feet, furlongs, and rods -- Miles and yards -- Nautical units -- Meter, the base unit -- Measuring the universe -- Equestrian measurements -- The limits of measurement -- Gauging thickness -- chapter 3. A measure of area -- Medieval units of land -- Units of area -- Metric area -- Defining paper sizes -- chapter 4. A measure of volume and capacity -- Metric units of volume -- Bottle designations -- Imperial units of volume -- Liquid barrel volumes -- Cooking measurements -- chapter 5. A measure of mass -- Mass vs. weight -- Imperial and U.S. customary units of mass -- Small amounts and precious goods -- Metric mass -- Mass on the atomic scale -- The density of matter -- chapter 6. A measure of temperature -- Hotness and coldness -- A matter of degree -- Absolute temperature -- chapter 7. A measure of time -- Years and months -- Time and the Système international -- Dividing the second -- Measuring geological age -- chapter 8. A measure of speed -- SI units of speed -- Average speed -- Imperial and U.S. customary units of speed -- The speed of light and sound -- The quest for c -- Acceleration -- chapter 9. A measure of force and pressure -- What is force? -- SI and U.S. customary units of force -- Gravity and weight -- Torque and leverage -- Pressure -- Atmospheric pressure -- chapter 10. A measure of energy and power -- Force in action -- Non-SI units of energy and power -- SI units of work, energy, and power -- Radioactivity -- Units of electricity -- Radiant energy -- Measuring with lasers -- Explosive energy -- Wind power -- chapter 11. A measurement miscellany -- Units of digital information -- Measuring firewood -- How hot is a chili? -- Ring sizes -- Units of concentration -- Hardness -- Typography -- SI diagram -- Epilogue -- Index.