In today’s story, which originally aired in 2014, we meet a very special cylinder. It's the gold standard (or, in this case, the platinum-iridium standard) for measuring mass. For decades it's been coddled and cared for and treated like a tiny king. But, as we learn from writer Andrew Marantz, things change—even things that were specifically designed to stay the same.
Special thanks to Ken Alder, Ari Adland, Eric Perlmutter, Terry Quinn and Richard Davis.And to the musical group, His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts, for the use of their song “Horses and Hounds.”We have some exciting news! In the “Zoozve” episode, Radiolab named its first-ever quasi-moon, and now it's your turn! Radiolab has teamed up with The International Astronomical Union to launch a global naming contest for one of Earth’s quasi-moons. This is your chance to make your mark on the heavens. Vote on your favorites soon, check here for details: https://radiolab.org/moonSign-up for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!
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Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.
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In today’s story, which originally aired in 2014, we meet a very special cylinder. It's the gold standard (or, in this case, the platinum-iridium standard) for measuring mass. For decades it's been coddled and cared for and treated like a tiny king. But, as we learn from writer Andrew Marantz, things change—even things that were specifically designed to stay the same.
Special thanks to Ken Alder, Ari Adland, Eric Perlmutter, Terry Quinn and Richard Davis.And to the musical group, His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts, for the use of their song “Horses and Hounds.”We have some exciting news! In the “Zoozve” episode, Radiolab named its first-ever quasi-moon, and now it's your turn! Radiolab has teamed up with The International Astronomical Union to launch a global naming contest for one of Earth’s quasi-moons. This is your chance to make your mark on the heavens. Vote on your favorites soon, check here for details: https://radiolab.org/moonSign-up for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!
Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.
Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.
Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation Initiative, and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
In the wake of Thanksgiving, Latif Nasser reflects on the divisive nature of family discussions, particularly around politics. He introduces the episode's main theme of seeking something objective and universal amidst discord—the discussion about the kilogram, an enduring standard that everyone can agree upon.
The episode delves into the history and significance of measurement systems, with Andrew Marantz exploring the SI base units. The discussion focuses on how measurements have evolved from intuitive, body-based measures to standardized units, culminating in the concept of the kilogram as a singular, precise standard.
The narrative reveals the dramatic journey of measurement from chaos during the French Revolution, where over 250,000 units were in use, to the establishment of the meter and kilogram based on natural phenomena. The episode discusses how these standards aimed to unite commerce, science, and everyday life.
Listeners are taken into the vault housing the international prototype kilogram, described as the last physical standard. However, tensions arise as the Grand K is discovered to be losing weight. This revelation poses significant questions about the integrity of this measurement standard and leads to the quest for a new definition of the kilogram.
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that researchers are working on redefining the kilogram based on fundamental physical constants rather than a physical object. The episode ends with the exciting conclusion that in 2018, a new definition was adopted, transitioning away from the Grand K and marking a new era in measurement.
