length · International · Modern
SI base unit of length. Its definition fixes the speed of light in vacuum at exactly 299,792,458 m/s, with the second defined from the caesium-133 hyperfine frequency.
Converter
length · Various · Modern
smoot
smootapprox.informal
- Record
- M358
- Definition quality
- Informal
- Conversion mode
- multiplicative
- Calculator
- Approximately calculable
Treat 1.7018 m as a reconstruction from reported 5 ft 7 in, not a metrological standard.
Definition
The Smoot is based on Oliver Smoot's reported 5 ft 7 in height, approximately 1.7018 m.
Reference value
One smoot is understood to be about 1.7018 metres.
History & use
In October 1958 MIT fraternity pledges measured the Harvard Bridge by repeatedly laying Oliver Smoot along it.
Modern use
A famous MIT cultural measurement; bridge markings persist and have been used as location references.
Did you know?
MIT commemorates the bridge as 364.4 Smoots, plus or minus one ear.
Sources & evidence
Source tier Tier A · confidence High
Related measurements
length · International · Modern
1 km = 1000 m by the SI prefix kilo-.
length · International · Modern
1 cm = 0.01 m by the SI prefix centi-.
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1 mm = 0.001 m by the SI prefix milli-.
inch
inlength · UK / US · Modern / historical
1 international inch = exactly 0.0254 m.
foot
ftlength · UK / US · Modern / historical
1 international foot = exactly 0.3048 m.
yard
ydlength · UK / US · Modern / historical
1 international yard = exactly 0.9144 m.
mile
milength · UK / US · Modern / historical
1 international mile = exactly 1609.344 m = 1760 yd.