The fathom, an intriguing unit of length measurement, is primarily used in nautical contexts to measure water depth. Originally derived from the Old English word “fæðm,” meaning “to embrace,” it represents the span of a person’s outstretched arms, approximately six feet. This makes it a convenient measurement for sailors in the past who used to determine depth using a weighted rope called a “lead line.”
Following centuries of maritime tradition, the fathom remains a vital tool in oceanography and the maritime industry. It’s fascinating to note that it also plays a symbolic role, metaphorically plunging into “fathomless” depths to denote the mysteries of the sea. While modern technology has advanced far beyond lead lines, the fathom remains a cherished part of nautical lexicon.
The inch, once the size of a barleycorn kernel, has fascinating origins. Early English measurement systems based it on the width of a man’s thumb. In the 14th century, King Edward II of England formalized it, defining an inch as the length of three barleycorns laid end to end. Historically, the inch was crucial for countless innovations, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries, influencing everything from watchmaking to industrial design.
Today, the inch still plays an integral role in areas like screen sizes and standardized paper dimensions, delighting both tech enthusiasts and everyday users. Interestingly, in surveying, an inch is divided into hundredths in the US, showing its adaptability in precision tasks. Despite the global shift towards the metric system, the inch endures, showcasing its resilience and continued relevance.
Fathoms | Inches |
---|---|
0
fathom
|
0
in
|
1
fathom
|
72
in
|
2
fathom
|
144
in
|
3
fathom
|
216
in
|
4
fathom
|
288
in
|
5
fathom
|
360
in
|
6
fathom
|
432
in
|
7
fathom
|
504
in
|
8
fathom
|
576
in
|
9
fathom
|
648
in
|
10
fathom
|
720
in
|
11
fathom
|
792
in
|
12
fathom
|
864
in
|
13
fathom
|
936
in
|
14
fathom
|
1008
in
|
15
fathom
|
1080
in
|
16
fathom
|
1152
in
|
17
fathom
|
1224
in
|
18
fathom
|
1296
in
|
19
fathom
|
1368
in
|
20
fathom
|
1440
in
|
21
fathom
|
1512
in
|
22
fathom
|
1584
in
|
23
fathom
|
1656
in
|
24
fathom
|
1728
in
|
25
fathom
|
1800
in
|
26
fathom
|
1872
in
|
27
fathom
|
1944
in
|
28
fathom
|
2016
in
|
29
fathom
|
2088
in
|
30
fathom
|
2160
in
|
31
fathom
|
2232
in
|
32
fathom
|
2304
in
|
33
fathom
|
2376
in
|
34
fathom
|
2448
in
|
35
fathom
|
2520
in
|
36
fathom
|
2592
in
|
37
fathom
|
2664
in
|
38
fathom
|
2736
in
|
39
fathom
|
2808
in
|
40
fathom
|
2880
in
|
41
fathom
|
2952
in
|
42
fathom
|
3024
in
|
43
fathom
|
3096
in
|
44
fathom
|
3168
in
|
45
fathom
|
3240
in
|
46
fathom
|
3312
in
|
47
fathom
|
3384
in
|
48
fathom
|
3456
in
|
49
fathom
|
3528
in
|
50
fathom
|
3600
in
|
51
fathom
|
3672
in
|
52
fathom
|
3744
in
|
53
fathom
|
3816
in
|
54
fathom
|
3888
in
|
55
fathom
|
3960
in
|
56
fathom
|
4032
in
|
57
fathom
|
4104
in
|
58
fathom
|
4176
in
|
59
fathom
|
4248
in
|
60
fathom
|
4320
in
|
61
fathom
|
4392
in
|
62
fathom
|
4464
in
|
63
fathom
|
4536
in
|
64
fathom
|
4608
in
|
65
fathom
|
4680
in
|
66
fathom
|
4752
in
|
67
fathom
|
4824
in
|
68
fathom
|
4896
in
|
69
fathom
|
4968
in
|
70
fathom
|
5040
in
|
71
fathom
|
5112
in
|
72
fathom
|
5184
in
|
73
fathom
|
5256
in
|
74
fathom
|
5328
in
|
75
fathom
|
5400
in
|
76
fathom
|
5472
in
|
77
fathom
|
5544
in
|
78
fathom
|
5616
in
|
79
fathom
|
5688
in
|
80
fathom
|
5760
in
|
81
fathom
|
5832
in
|
82
fathom
|
5904
in
|
83
fathom
|
5976
in
|
84
fathom
|
6048
in
|
85
fathom
|
6120
in
|
86
fathom
|
6192
in
|
87
fathom
|
6264
in
|
88
fathom
|
6336
in
|
89
fathom
|
6408
in
|
90
fathom
|
6480
in
|
91
fathom
|
6552
in
|
92
fathom
|
6624
in
|
93
fathom
|
6696
in
|
94
fathom
|
6768
in
|
95
fathom
|
6840
in
|
96
fathom
|
6912
in
|
97
fathom
|
6984
in
|
98
fathom
|
7056
in
|
99
fathom
|
7128
in
|
100
fathom
|
7200
in
|
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