oa Centenary of the Convention of the Metre

The inexorable progress of the metric system of weights and measures has resulted in a steady erosion of the traditional standards of measurement. The system, which had originated during the turmoil of the French revolution, received increasing international recognition, which became formalised one hundred years ago, and has been the basis for continuing cooperation. The first international standards, fabricated in iridium-platinum alloy, were largely produced by George Matthey.