![At a 15th-century market: there was no uniform measure but rather a jumble of different measurement units. Illustration of a market scene in a manuscript by Nikolaus von Oresme, circa 1453.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/nikolaus-von-oresme-markt-titel-300x225.jpg)
From “glaring difference” to a system of units
Measuring with the same yardstick: for a long time, this was the exception rather than the rule. Until the end of the 19th century, a dizzying array of different units was used in Switzerland for weighing and measuring. Even the time of day varied from one place to the next.
Unique to the locality
![Gruyères marketplace with its grain measures hewn out of stone from the 15th or 16th century.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/gruyere-marktplatz-192x300.jpg)
![A team of oxen pulling a plough, working in the fields under a blossoming cherry tree, circa 1915.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ackerarbeit-dig-27411-lm-80509603-300x300.jpg)
Measures with different lengths
![Various measures for fruits and grains, Biel/Bienne, circa 1570.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/verschiedene-bieler-frucht-und-getreidemasse-dia-16798-dep-65fsg-300x187.jpg)
The revolution from France
![Cubit rod, measuring stick for feet and cubits, circa 1853.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ellenstab-col-23051-lm-99110-300x120.jpg)
![An ‘original ruler’ in brass from the collection of scientific instruments and teaching aids at ETH.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/urmeter-eth-300x120.jpg)
Finally, time also fell into step
![Until 1886, three clocks at the Tour de l’Ile in Geneva showed the various times: Paris time, Geneva time and Berne time. Photo by Auguste Louis Garcin.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/tour-de-lile-genf-300x199.jpg)