What is a rod?
Q: What is a rod?
A: A rod is a unit of length in the imperial and US systems.
Q: How was the length of a rod determined in medieval times?
A: Ploughmen used a wooden stick with a pointed tip to spur or guide their oxen, and the rod was the length of this stick.
Q: When was the rod first used?
A: The rod was first used in the 6th century.
Q: When was the modern value of the rod standardized?
A: The modern value of the rod was standardized in the 12th century with Composito Ulnarum et Perticarum.
Q: Is the rod still in use as a unit of measure?
A: Yes, the rod is still in use as a unit of measure in certain specialized fields.
Q: In what field is the rod still used as a unit of measure?
A: In recreational canoeing, overland paths where canoes must be carried are measured in rods.
Q: Why is the rod used in recreational canoeing?
A: This is probably because the length of a typical canoe is about one rod.
