How our world measures up
From measuring quantities in Ancient Egypt to the precise contents of a jar of peanut butter, we find out why we size up the world in the way we do.
Why do we measure the world around us in the way we do? There is a rich history to be explored - from measuring the depth of the Nile in Ancient Egypt to the central role the French played in developing the metric system and the ultra-precise measurement systems we use today. Presenter Tim Harford is joined by journalist and author James Vincent to discuss the political, social and technological factors that have influenced how we size up our world.
Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Jon Bithrey
Editor: Richard Vadon
Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar
Production Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
(tape measure / Getty Images)
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Broadcasts
- Sat 30 Jul 2022 04:50GMTBBC World Service
- Sat 30 Jul 2022 22:50GMTBBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Sat 30 Jul 2022 23:50GMTBBC World Service Online, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only
- Sun 31 Jul 2022 00:50GMTBBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
- Sun 31 Jul 2022 13:50GMTBBC World Service Australasia & News Internet only
- Sun 31 Jul 2022 22:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Mon 1 Aug 2022 09:50GMTBBC World Service
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Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life
