I don't know about other guys, but rarely do I consider
the numerical size of a hex wrench, just try the next larger or smaller
one in an index. The smaller ones aren't even labeled.

Unfortunately I keep all my inch wrenches in a box with no order, so I must
sometimes consider numbers to orientate myself. Again, what puzzles me is why
paying the effort to convert sizes into multiples of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32
and 1/64, when expressing all sizes as multiples of 1/64" would require no
effort and simplify people life too.

What makes my head hurt was the British coinage before decimalization:
12 pence in a shilling, 20 shillings in a pound.
With coins like florins (2 shillings), crown (5 shillings),
half-crown (2 shillings and 6 pence), farthing (1/4 pence),
etc. Then there was the Guinea of 21 shillings:
a professional would bill you in Guineas
for his services.

I guess the only residue of that system is that kids
here in the States still memorize math tables
up thru 12 x 12. That may be a holdover from the 12 pence per shilling
days.

Interesting, I did not know that.

By the way, in Italy we have a translation for the English word "dozen", that is
"dozzina". But we only use it to buy eggs! For everything else we use the word
"decina" (that means about ten items).

Who knows whether all such residues of the past will disappear in the next 100
years.

73

Tony I0JX