Random question.. how was gravity measured pre-metric?!

[Hemst]

Gravity close to earth is 9.81 m/s2, but DS asked me what it was before that (i.e. pre-metric). I have no idea. Does anyone know?

32 feet per second per second. I have vague memories of my Dad talking about that when I was a child - and of course, Americans still use it, eg uh.edu/engines/epi1534.htm

There were some lovely units used for pre-metric things. Footpounds, candlepower, horsepower, perches and poles and rods and chains. Some of them are still in use in specific areas. I can only ever remember the speed of light and speed of sound in miles/ hour and feet/second. The metric just won't stick in my head for them

Fabulous, thank you! I knew I'd find the answer here.

PomBear, I think we should go back to the old measurements. 'Foot-pounds'?!