2000-12-12
I've never been to Cuba and doubt I'll ever get the chance to. but, from
what little I've seen in pictures and TV, it doesn't seem like much is made
of wood. It appears that most structures are made of stone, brick , cement,
adobe, or some similar material. My brother lives in Mesa, Arizona, and the
three times I visited him there, I never saw a wooden home or building.
Everything was "cement" or some similar material. I don't think wood/lumber
could take the high heat.
So, I don't think Cuba would have much need for lumber, SI or FFU. And
cement, can be made locally. Maybe they need glass, or steel framing, that
isn't readily available.
Anyway, even if Cuba went metric in 1860, they may not be in a position
reject something because it isn't. They would find a way to make it work.
They somehow managed to keep many 1950's model US non-SI cars going right up
to the present. And when the US did have a lot of control over Cuban
affairs before Castro, I'm sure they made do with a lot of FFU products, and
if they have too will continue to do so. Whatever they get from South
America will be SI only, no doubt.
John
Keiner ist hoffnungsloser versklavt als derjenige, der irrt�mlich glaubt
frei zu sein.
There are none more hopelessly enslaved then those who falsely believe they
are free!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On
Behalf Of Joseph B. Reid
Sent: Tuesday, 2000-12-12 18:37
To: U.S. Metric Association
Subject: [USMA:9714] Re: cuban construction
Gregory Petrson asked in USMA 9706:
>I recently received an email concerning a Canada/Cuba business trade
>mission. They indicated that Cuba's economy is doing well and they are
>currently expanding their hotels to accommodate tourists.
>
>According to this email Canada became Cuba's largest trading partner in
>1998. Cuba currently needs building supplies, new and reconditioned
>machine parts, etc.
>
>Does anyone on the list know if Cuba uses North American lumber sizes? How
>metric is Cuba... or since there is a trade embargo with the US do they
>just take what they can get no matter if it's WOMBAT or SI.
>
>greg
Cuba went metric, along with Spain, before 1860.
