The measure of all things is an excellent book ken alder presents a superb narrative of the epic geodetic expedition that resulted in the definition of the metric system with a close focus on the french astronomers mechain and delambre who undertook the measurement of the global meridian through paris. The measure of all things is the astonishing story of one of historys greatest scientific quests a mission to measure the earth and define the meter for all nations and for all timeyet when. The measure of all things is the astonishing tale of one of historys greatest scientific adventures yet behind the public triumph of the metric system lies a secret error one that is perpetuated in every subsequent definition of the meter. This item the measure of all things the seven year odyssey and hidden error that transformed the world by ken alder paperback 2000 in stock on january 12 2021 order it now. The measure of all things the seven year odyssey and hidden error that transformed the world ken alder simon schuster new york 2002 2700 422 pp isbn 0 7432 1675 x buy at amazon all things seemed possible in the heady early years of the french revolution