Yes, it was introduced by revolutionary France in 1799. But by then, the worst excesses of the Revolution had already been over.
Actually one meter is one ten-millionth of the distance between the North Pole and the equator, using the meridian which runs through Paris.
Just for the record :-)
“Actually one meter is one ten-millionth of the distance between the North Pole and the equator, using the meridian which runs through Paris.
Just for the record :-)”
Ahhhh, thank you. I was unsuccessfully riffing from memory. It’s been quite a while since I came across that factoid. And I was overtaken by events and forgot to check. Appreciate it.