Another number that screams “Go Metric!” is 26.2. Yes, this is the distance in miles of a marathon. Stickers with only this number on them seem to have proliferated on the backs of cars lately. I am guessing that the drivers of these cars have either driven a marathon course, or watched a marathon on TV.
What is interesting about the 26.2 is that is is rounded off number. The exact number is 26 miles, 385 yards. This is 26.21875 miles, which technically should be on those stickers. But, while one may think that this odd number is because it is a conversion from metric, it is not. The metric distance is 42.195 kilometers.
So, why is the distance of a marathon not an even number in either measurement system? It has to do with some strange story in history which I will not relate here. But I will say that this demonstrates clearly the need for a sensible standard measurement system. No, not the English system. The metric system.
Engineering Daze 
Feb 26, 2013 @ 08:17:10
I’m not sure that I’m with you on this one and not just because I once had the seemingly ubiquitous “26.2” on the back of a car. As history would point out, the marathon did start out as an even, though odd, number of 25 miles, but was then changed to 26 and then to 26 + 385 yards. I think the beef with this ridiculous distance shouldn’t be about moving to the metric system (I would put a “42” on my car) but about the power of the upper class and those in charge. Think about it, would we change the 100 meter dash to 112.5 meters so that the royal box is at the finish line? How about 404.35 meter run so that the royals get a better view of the home stretch. Yes, this beef should be with the abuse of power and not with an arbitrary number.
Feb 26, 2013 @ 20:08:43
What you are saying only goes to support my argument. If we had a truly standard system, then royalty or those in power would not be able to change standards, whether by elongating a race to a bizarre distance just to appease their viewing, nor by declaring that people should measure things according to their podiatary whims and wishes. See? You and I ARE on the same wavelength, which we will measure in micrometers. The metric system is as against the man as you are.