Re: Why "i" for current?

["Miguel A. Santos" <msantos@ETSE.URV.ES>]

Larry Cartwright wrote:
> One should also remember that a lot of scientific nomemclature and
> symbolism has been the result of timing, as well as political and national
> circumstances.
>
> "current" comes from the Anglicization of the French word "courant".
>
> I have heard that some English texts used "C" for current through much of
> the 19th century, perhaps to give the world yet one more expression of
> their disdain for the French Academy and its metric system?
 It really could be so.
 Indeed, I comletely agree with you. After all, science IS a social
phenomenon. One sadly thing that means is that many times its evolution
is conditioned by politicians and their clever decisions...

 Regards,
        Miguel A. Santos
        msantos@etse.urv.es