[ATM] what is centimeter

[David Weinshenker]

vladimir galogaza wrote:
>> I live in Germany, and am a confirmed proponent of the metric system. 
>> Even here inches are still used for gas and water fittings.
> 
> But to add to confusion they are called "Zoll".

A lot of the time it's more of a question of what
sizes stuff comes in, or what's more convenient for
measurement and calculation. (Millimeters are more
convenient for dimensions in optical calculations;
in the USA, at least, there is often a better selection
of hardware in "inch" sizes.)

I once made an Australian engineer's head explode by
giving the density of a sheet fiberglass material in
"grams per square foot".

-dave w