The Cultural Significance of Body-Based Measurements.
TL;DR
Researchers at the University of Helsinki analyzed body-based measurement systems across cultures using data from the Human Relations Area Files database and found that body-based measurements are used by all cultures, though it is used more often in some areas of interest than others. The most well-known body measures—cubits, spans and fathoms—were also the most common. The team concludes by suggesting that body-based measurements are most commonly still used today in projects that involve ergonomic design, which makes them more personalized.
Topics:sciencescience-and-culture#anthropology#cultural-evolution#ergonomic-design#historical-measurement-systems#human-body-based-measurements#science-and-culture
- Looking at the development and use of human body-based measurements across cultures Phys.org
- Why human societies still use arms, feet, and other body parts to measure things Science
- 'Body-based measurements' like handspans and fathoms work better than metric alternatives Daily Mail
- Embodying measurement Science
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