U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards
ID Number
1990.3231.02
catalog number
1990.3231.02
nonaccession number
1990.3231
Description
In the 1970s, after metric units of measure had been adopted in Canada and Great Britain, some people in the United States advocated adoption of the metric system. The National Bureau of Standards of the U. S. Department of Commerce prepared this white plastic reference card to assist those wishing to use the unfamiliar units of measure. One side gave approximate conversion factors for computing metric measures from customary measures of length, area, mass and volume. This side also has a scale eight centimeters long divided to millimeters, and a chart with temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit along the top and temperatures in degrees centigrade along the bottom.
The other side of the card gives factors for converting from metric to common measures of length, area, mass, volume, and temperature. There also is a scale three inches long divided to 1/16th of an inch.
The card was a gift of machinist George A. Norton, a longtime employee of the National Museum of American History.
Molded celluloid balance toy, in the shape of a cat. Cream body with gray and black stripes down back and tail. Wears a blue collar around neck with blue tag. Remnants of pink at nose and mouth. Black eyes. Bottom paws are shaped into a small hook, as well as top paws, which would enable the toy to balance on the side of a bowl or glass. Possibly used for a christmas ornament as well. See similar ornaments: 1993.0157.19, 1993.0157.18, 1993.0157.17, 1993.0157.16, 1993.0157.15.
Obverse Image: At the lower left, a portrait of a man. There is an image of farmers doing various works. In the lower center, a small image of an anvil and other blacksmith tools. There is an image on the lower right of a young woman seated in a field. She has in her left hand a sickle/
Obverse Text: "The President, Directors & Co. of the BANK OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA will pay to bearer on demand FIVE DOLLARS. " Washington, Nov 1, 1858 / "5" / Large Roman number "V" in darl orange highlight in background.
Holiday or Christmas ornament/decoration. Honeycombed tissue paper, cardboard on sides, opens up to form a bell, red and green. Cotton string at top for hanging. No mark.