Originally Posted by
Ed Weldon
---Quote (Originally by Frank S)---
I wonder if James Burke did a series on the evolution of giant machines came about?
---End Quote---
There's an old saying “if I can measure it I can make it”. As already pointed out, you still need the tools to do the job. That said, how about a video series for today's media on the evolution of mechanical metrology going back to what we know of its role in the building of civilizations? The stories range from measuring the length of a kings foot to measuring the wavelength of light. Somewhere in the middle of that is the story of when, in the time of the first world war, the US navy sent one of its fastest destroyers to Sweden to bring back 4 sets of Johansen's gage blocks. Has such a production already been done? Anyone have a link?