Metrology is defined as the science of

measurement. Metrology dates back

to the ancient world, but modern
metrology is derived from the politics
French revolution, where the
standardisation of units was
introduced.

Metrology can be split into different

activities. The first activity defines the
units of measurement, the second puts
the units of measurement in practice,
and the last applies them to
traceability. Metrology can also be
divided into further sub-fields of
scientific, applied, industrial,
technical and Legal metrology.

Metric Systems of the Ancient World

The system of measures, which is at
the basis of all metric systems of the
ancient world and China, was
conceived prior to the appearance of
cuneiform writing in Mesopotamia in
approximately 2,900 B.C.

The system of measures dates as far

back as 6,000 B.C., when it became
necessary due to agricultural
development needing to calculate the
distribution of crops and the volume
of food consumed by families. With
the transition of humankind from
nomadic groupings to established
agricultural settlements, metrology
was imperative in managing
population growth and confronting
famine.
It was not until 1875 at the Metre
Convention that scientists recognised
the need to establish a system of
internationally agreed measurement
standards. Prior to this, various
systems existed across the world and
were merged and transformed
through trade and acculturation.

The Egyptian Cubit

As measurements were sometimes
formed from a natural basis, their
accuracy was difficult to determine.
The Egyptian cubit, an ancient unit
based on the forearm length, ranged
between 43 and 53 cm throughout
antiquity and depended on the
Pharaoh reigning. The Egyptian royal
cubit is the earliest recognised
standard of measurement.
The flood level of the Nile in
approximately 3,000 B.C. was given
as 6 cubits and 1 palm, and the royal
cubit was a crucial measurement in
ancient Egyptian architecture from as
early as 2,700 B.C.

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Selivanov/shutterstock.com

The Roman Mile

Although the standardisation of the
mile to 1.609 kilometres would not be
established until an international
agreement in 1959, the Roman mile of
antiquity had consisted of a thousand
paces of two steps each.

Armies marching through

unchartered territories would drive
sticks into the ground after each 1,000
paces, marking the length of the mile
dependent on a variety of factors,
including weather conditions, army
logistics and the physical conditioning
of soldiers.

Medieval Metrics
In medieval England, one form of
measurement was used to calculate
ounces of bullion and other tradable
commodities, though its use was
consistent with those recognised in
both medieval Italian texts and
ancient Athenian ones.
The inconsistencies, as well as
regional and cultural differences of
systems of measurement, prevented
any universal application of a single
standard of metrology. Without an
effective means for the exchange and
distribution of knowledge in the
ancient and medieval worlds, it would
be impossible for scientists,
mathematicians, chemists and
physicists to cooperate in the pursuit
of progressive endeavours.

It would not be until the Scientific

Revolution during the early modern
period that metrology would cease
from being utilised largely for the
measurements of length, time and
weight. As science advanced, a
coherent system of units was required.
The discovery and identification of
fundamental scientific principles such
as electricity, atoms and
thermodynamics allowed them to be
applied to standards of measurement,
thus facilitating the quantitative and
qualitative assessment of physical
properties in science.

The Role of Microscopy

Microscopy, one of the earliest
methods of particle sizing, dates to
1590 when two Dutch spectacle
makers, Hans and Zaccharias
Janssen, developed the first
compound microscope.

Though initially used as a tool of

identification, the development of
high-precision lenses, digital image
capture, and high-speed computers,
have given rise to a stratospheric leap
in the capability of the microscope in
the present day.

Microscopes are unique as they are

able to describe a particle’s shape,
which permits scientists a better
understanding of not only constituent
particles but also the behaviour of
groups of particles.