Written by: Scott Simmons; Weights and Measures Supervisor at the Division of Oil and Public Safety
Weights and Measures Week is celebrated March 1-7 each year to commemorate John Adams signing the first United States weights and measures
Even in ancient times, weights and measures had a major impact on the everyday lives of common people. The Bible has numerous passages about honesty and justice as they relate to weights and measures, including Proverbs 20:10 which states "Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord".
Left to right, 1) Ancient Roman amphora (prover) for measuring liquids (olive oil, etc.), bulk goods (grains, etc.), the cargo capacity of ships,
and the production of vineyards (wine, etc.), 2) Inspector from the early twentieth century testing a "gas pump" with test measures, 3) modern five gallon test measures, 4) modern inspector testing fuel dispensers with bottom drain provers on portable storage tanks, commonly known as a "slider".
Article 8 of the United States Constitution gives the Congress the power to "fix the standard of weights and measures", and the first president of the United States, George Washington stated in his January 8, 1790 address to the US senate and house of representatives, "Uniformity in the Currency, Weights and Measures of the United States is an object of great importance, and will, I am persuaded, be duly attended to."
In 1821 future president John Quincy Adams (the son of President John Adams) stated, "Weights and
We are seeing changes in consumer buying habits, and the marketplace as a whole due to e-commerce and particularly the issues related to Covid19. National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) Chairman Hal Prince stated in a recent article on Weights and Measures Week, “There really is a new normal and we have seen it coming for a while now. Consumer buying preferences are changing and the business community is adapting. There was far less face-to-face interaction with a local merchant, even before the pandemic. But the pandemic has rocketed the move to e-commerce to the forefront!”
Even with that reality, in Colorado, more than any other aspect of weights and measures, the buying and selling of fuel products affects every family and business whether large or small. The inspection and testing of fuel products metering devices and product quality ensures equity in the marketplace and the confidence of both consumers and businesses that they are getting a fair deal. In addition to all of that, Colorado oil inspectors protect the health and safety of the citizens of Colorado along with the environment that means so much to those of us who live here.
Weights and Measures Week is a celebration of what the division oil inspectors, fuel quality lab staff, and support staff do every day to ensure equity in the marketplace and protect fuel quality in Colorado. Though most people never realize what these professionals do, every citizen and business in Colorado is impacted by their dedication and professionalism in conducting inspections and tests.
I continue to be proud of the work and professionalism that this team displays each day! Thanks for all you do not only during Weights and Measures Week but on every week of the year!
For further information on weights and measures throughout the country see the following links: