Article: Distance, Measurement of

Distance, Measurement of


In the twenty-first century, societies need to make a wide range of measurements, from economic indicators and population trends to the times of sporting events and various standardized tests. Despite all of the varied measurement that is performed, modern societies still focus attention on the same two subjects, time and distance. In this entry, the focus will be on the measurement of distance.

Early Attempts to Measure Distance

Early civilizations used various crude instruments to measure distance, ranging from a simple pace to measuring rods and marked cords. The accuracy that was achieved with such basic devices can be astonishing. For example, the Great ...

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