Who makes Celsius? This question often arises when discussing the popular Celsius scale, a temperature scale used primarily in the United States and a few other countries. Unlike the more widely recognized Fahrenheit scale, the Celsius scale is based on the melting and boiling points of water, with the freezing point set at 0 degrees and the boiling point at 100 degrees. Understanding the origins and history of Celsius can provide insight into the development of this temperature scale.
The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, was developed by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742. Celsius was inspired by the Fahrenheit scale, which was created by German physicist Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724. The Fahrenheit scale was based on the freezing and boiling points of water, but it used the human body temperature as the midpoint, setting it at 32 degrees, with the freezing point of water at 0 degrees and the boiling point at 212 degrees.
Celsius, on the other hand, decided to reverse the scale, with the freezing point of water at 0 degrees and the boiling point at 100 degrees. This made the Celsius scale more intuitive for scientific calculations and measurements. The term “centigrade” comes from the Latin “centum,” meaning 100, and “gradus,” meaning steps or degrees, reflecting the 100-degree interval between the freezing and boiling points of water.
In 1948, the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) officially adopted the Celsius scale as the standard temperature scale. This decision was partly due to the popularity of the scale in scientific research and international trade. The Celsius scale is now used in most countries around the world, with the exception of the United States, where the Fahrenheit scale remains the primary temperature measurement system.
Several companies and organizations have contributed to the production and distribution of Celsius thermometers and other temperature-measuring devices. Some of the well-known manufacturers include:
1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: A global leader in scientific instruments and equipment, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a wide range of Celsius thermometers and temperature-measuring devices for various applications.
2. Kinetico: A manufacturer of industrial and commercial temperature-measuring equipment, Kinetico produces Celsius thermometers for a variety of industries.
3. Omega Engineering: Specializing in precision instruments, Omega Engineering offers Celsius thermometers for use in laboratories, industrial settings, and other applications.
In conclusion, the Celsius scale was developed by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742, and it has since become the standard temperature scale for most of the world. Various companies and organizations produce Celsius thermometers and other temperature-measuring devices, ensuring that this widely used scale remains accessible and practical for a multitude of applications.
