The Brits invented them, convinced us to use them, then switched to metric and now laugh at our quaint colonial ways.

We're getting there inch by inch - my 2002 motorcycle, manufactured in Marysville, OH, is all metric.  Many of the accessories use ASME Threads per inch) bolts and nuts, allowing me to own a comprehensive set of tools covering both.  Hmmmmmmm... Why do my metric sockets fit 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" wrench heads?

 

Hey, they still fly using Knots (not furlongs per fortnight), hardly a metric standard although now defined in metric yewnits.

 

Metric is the result of having ten fingers and wearing shoes to hide toes, otherwise the number system would be base 20 although the integers would still be called "digits." 

 

It is no wonder the Roman Empire came apart.  How would you like to be flying at CLXXX Knots or about LIV Leagues.  I would have been more accurate but I don't know where to put the "decimal point" in Roman numerology.  Oh well, the film industry still uses Roman numerals to mark the year of release.

 

Grayhawk, born in MCMXLI exactly