View source for Measuring and Surveying

[[File:Vitruvian_particular.gif|300px|right|Vitruvian Man|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvian_Man]]
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The study of '''Measurement''' is known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrology|'''Metrology''']. From the very earliest civilizations some form of '''Measurement''' has been needed for agriculture, construction and trade. In modern manufacturing companies, the '''Metrology Department''' ensures accuracy is maintained and standards complied with as part of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_control|'''Quality Control'''].


Early records indicate that the first measurements of length were based on forearm, hand, or finger. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_units_of_measurement|'''Egyptian Cubit'''] was the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. It is thought this was developed further by the '''[[:Category:Ancient Greece|Greeks]]''' and '''[[:Category:The Romans|Romans]]'''. '''Yards''' and '''Inches''' became standardised in Britain during the '''[[:Category:Middle Ages|Middle Ages]]''' and eventually became the basis of the '''[[The Imperial System of Measurement|British Imperial System]]''' established in 1824.


Commonly used '''Centimetres''' and  '''Millimetres''' are parts of the standard '''Metre''', first established around 1795 during the time of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Revolution|'''French Revolution'''] when there was a movement in France to standardise units. The decimal based metric system which emerged evolved into the '''[[Metric System of Measurement|International System of Units (SI)]]''' now recognised world wide.


[[File:UsingGroma.png|300px|right|Using a Groma|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groma_(surveying)]]
In the UK, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Watt|'''James Watt'''] had proposed a global decimal measurement system and in 1790 France invited Britain and the United States to adopt a standard for a '''Metre''' but politicians were unable to agree at that time. Britain did adopt '''SI units''' almost 200 years later in 1965 but the USA continues with the '''British Imperial System''' - although there are some historic differences and '''SI units''' are also recognised.


Both '''Metric''' and '''Imperial''' systems however, are now based on properties of matter and not physical artefacts – or even the length of a King’s arm! 


'''[[Early Surveying|Surveyors]]''' use standardised measurements to map out areas of land or structures and draw maps.

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