1. Early Measurement History
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Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
Early Measurement History

2. What Do the Following Terms Mean?
Early Measurement History
Gateway To Technology
Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
What Do the Following Terms Mean?
The Cubit . . .
The Fathom . . .
The Hand/span . . .
The Pace . . .
The Foot . . .
The Girth . . .
The Palm . . .

3. Early Measurement History
Gateway To Technology
Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
The Cubit
The cubit was the measurement used by the Egyptians to build the pyramids.
The cubit is the measure from your elbow to the tip of your middle finger when your arm is extended.

4. Early Measurement History
The Fathom
Gateway To Technology
Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
The fathom was used by seamen to measure the depth of water so that boats would not run aground and be stranded.
The fathom is the measure from fingertip to fingertip when your arms are stretched sideways as far as they will go. You sometimes see a rope or fabric measured in this way.

5. Early Measurement History
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Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
The Hand-span
The hand-span was used to measure the height of horses. People still describe horses as being so many hands high.
The hand-span is the measure from the tip of your pinky to the tip of your thumb when your hand is stretched out.

6. Early Measurement History
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Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
The Pace
This term was used by the Roman army to judge speed. The term is still used frequently during various types of foot races.
The pace is the measure of distance from one step to another.

7. Early Measurement History
Gateway To Technology
Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
The Foot
A measurement equal to the length of an individuals foot.
King Henry 1 standardized this measurement, because his foot was 12 inches long.

8. Early Measurement History
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Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
The Girth
Girth was a measurement often used to measure fishing line.
The girth was the measurement around one’s stomach (your belt measure).

9. Early Measurement History
Gateway To Technology
Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
The Palm
The palm is the width of your four fingers when they are placed together.

10. Some folks found measuring in this fashion to be quite challenging.
Early Measurement History
Gateway To Technology
Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
Some folks found measuring in this fashion to be quite challenging.

11. Early Measurement History
Gateway To Technology
Unit 1– Lesson 1.3 – Measurement
Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved October 20, 2008, from