As a U.S. group, let¹s try extra hard to set aside national prejudices and think clearly about standardization. In the case of paper, there are two separate issues: (1) what size paper should we use; (2) how should its dimensions be controlled (in the factory) and expressed (on its package etc.). If the paper were called 216 x 280 instead of 8.5 x 11, then the purposes of this newsgroup would be satisfied.
From: John Frewen-Lord <j...@frewston.plus.com> Reply-To: <j...@frewston.plus.com> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 07:09:08 -0000 To: "U.S. Metric Association" <usma@colostate.edu> Subject: [USMA:46268] Re: black n red in the USA I think that Americans can thank their Northern neighbours for the invention of Letter and Legal paper sizes - for once the Canadians got it wrong. Some years ago, one of my clients, an architectural firm in Toronto, tried to switch to 'metric' sized paper, as they called it. I didn't realise it at the time, but they were probably talking about A-series sizes. They had to give it up, as a lot of their printers in those days (mid/late 1980s) couldn't handle it as they switched from typewriters to word processors, and the shops that initially stocked it gave up, as demand was so tiny. Time perhaps for North America to once again look at how smart it is in being out of step with the rest of the world. John F-L > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: LPS <mailto:lpswe...@comcast.net> > > To: U.S. Metric Association <mailto:usma@colostate.edu> > > Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 12:00 AM > > Subject: [USMA:46266] black n red in the USA > > > I was shopping for a few items today and came across a hard bound set of > writing paper. The company that makes the hardbound writing paper is black n > Red. I saw that the size was in old style measurements, but I then realised > that I was looking at A4 and A5 formatted paper! Here in north America at a > Walmart! Anyway, I picked up two and took them home for my note taking. > interestingly enough I also saw a separate product called Pink and Black > (breast cancer research) spiral bound set in A4 and A5+ with tear outs and > the two holes for A5 and 4 holes for A4. I got those for my daughters. > > What a day. I have only one A4 binder for the 4 hole punched paper. I would > like to see that set of products continue to reach our shores. :) > > LPS > > here is the link: http://www.blacknred.com > > I wrote them a thank you for A4 and A5 formats here in the USA.
