Join PopSci+ to read science’s greatest stories.
It’s just $1 per month »
JOIN
LOG IN
Channels
PopSci+
Science
Archaeology
Ask Us Anything
Biology
Dinosaurs
Physics
Space
Technology
AI
Aviation
Best of What’s New
Engineering
Internet
Military
Robots
Security
Vehicles
Environment
Agriculture
Animals
Climate Change
Conservation
Energy
Sustainability
Weather
DIY
Life Skills
Projects
Tech Hacks
Health
Diseases
Fitness & Exercise
Medicine
Nutrition
Psychology
Gear
Audio
Cameras
Computers
Fitness Gear
Gaming
Gift Guides
Home
Home Theater
Outdoor Gear
Phones
Tablets
Wearables
More
Merch
Newsletter Sign-Up
PopSci Shop
Podcasts
Video
FIND US ON
Social
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
Pinterest
Youtube
Flipboard
Apple News+
RSS
SOCIAL
PopSci +
Popsci+
Subscribe
Log in
Science
Archaeology
Ask Us Anything
Biology
Dinosaurs
Physics
Space
Technology
AI
Aviation
Best of What's New
Engineering
Internet
Military
Robots
Security
Vehicles
Environment
Agriculture
Animals
Climate Change
Conservation
Energy
Sustainability
Weather
DIY
Life Skills
Projects
Tech Hacks
Health
Diseases
Fitness & Exercise
Medicine
Nutrition
Psychology
Gear
Audio
Cameras
Computers
Fitness Gear
Gaming
Gift Guides
Home
Home Theater
Outdoor Gear
Phones
Tablets
Wearables
Newsletter Sign-Up
MERCH
PopSci +
Sam Kean
Get latest from Sam Kean
Charles Dickens’s belief in spontaneous combustion sparked Victorian London’s hottest debate
By Sam Kean / Jul 18, 2017
Where International Standard Units Come From, Part Five: The Controversial Kilogram
By Sam Kean / Nov 5, 2010
Where International Standard Units Come From, Part Four: The Mole
By Sam Kean / Nov 4, 2010
Where International Standard Units Come From, Part Three: The Candela
By Sam Kean / Nov 3, 2010
Where International Standard Units Come From, Part Two: The Second
By Sam Kean / Nov 2, 2010
Where International Standard Units Come From, Part One: The Meter
By Sam Kean / Nov 1, 2010