Wow.. Standard paper size of 8.5" x 11" started in the 1600's

[JEDI]

Text

"Back in the late 1600's, the Dutch invented the two-sheet mold. The average maximum stretch of an experienced vatman's arms was 44". Many molds at that time were around 17" front to back because the laid lines and watermarks had to run from left to right. Sounds big?...well to maximize the efficiency of paper making, a sheet this big was made, and then quartered, forming four 8.5" x 11" pieces. "

 

[So]

Don't some countries use metric dimensions? I know I got paper from Australia once and it was a different size/ratio from our own (close, but different)

 

[K1052]

Gutenberg: "PC Load Letter, WTF!?!?"

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: K1052
Gutenberg: "PC Load Letter, WFT!?!?"

lol, I actually laughed at that, office space 4 life

 

[us3rnotfound]

Now this, I cannot believe. :sun:

 

[Cristatus]

Originally posted by: So
Don't some countries use metric dimensions? I know I got paper from Australia once and it was a different size/ratio from our own (close, but different)

I am guessing that that's actually known as A4, a system that's used in so many countries.

I still don't understand: forget the metric/imperial argument: why is there still a difference in paper sizes? It's so annoying when printing, usually MS Office is set to Standard paper size.

 

[GeekDrew]

I wish that *EVERYONE* would standardize on A4, and altogether forget about this "letter" crap. Nearly all current office machines and cabinetry can handle A4, and A4 is an accepted alternate page size for many government submissions.

Hrmmm, perhaps those state and local governments that are starting to mandate ODF and other standardized software packages will eventually mandate ISO 216 compliance.

 

[LS20]

the worst thing is when office people inadvertently print in off-sizes (like 8.5" fcking SQUARE!), and it jams the printer queue because the printer is waiting for the gdamn 8.5 square feed!