Americans use feet as a unit of measurement primarily because the United States inherited the British Imperial system, and inertia combined with costs prevents a full conversion to the metric system.
Historical Context: British Imperial System
The United States, as a former British colony, naturally adopted the British Imperial system of measurement. This system included units like feet, inches, pounds, and gallons. Workers learned the system as part of their jobs, and it became ingrained in daily life – buying groceries, measuring height, and learning it in schools.
Resistance to Metrication
While most of the world has adopted the metric system, the United States has largely resisted a complete transition. Several factors contribute to this:
- High Costs: Converting infrastructure, machinery, and educational materials to the metric system would involve significant financial investment.
- Public Resistance: Many Americans are comfortable with the Imperial system and resistant to change. Widespread familiarity with feet and inches, especially for everyday measurements, makes adoption of the metric system difficult.
- Economic Considerations: Some industries, particularly manufacturing, fear that converting to the metric system would put them at a disadvantage compared to companies using the Imperial system.
Inertia and Familiarity
The continued use of feet is further reinforced by simple inertia. Generations have grown up using and understanding feet, making it challenging to switch to a completely different system, even if logically superior. The familiarity and established use in everyday life are significant barriers to change.
In conclusion, Americans continue to use feet due to a combination of historical legacy, economic considerations, public resistance to change, and the inherent inertia of sticking with a familiar system.