100 Objects #2: 60-Degree Screw

The lack of standardized measurements and mechanical parts in the early 20th century created significant inefficiencies, exemplified by the 1904 Baltimore fire where incompatible fire hoses prevented neighboring cities from providing aid. Historian Daniel Immerwahr explains how Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover addressed this chaos by driving the adoption of universal standards, most notably the 60-degree screw thread. This standardization became a cornerstone of American industrial power, as the U.S. effectively exported its technical specifications globally. During World War II, the necessity of shared parts further cemented this reliance, forcing allies to adopt American standards to maintain operational capacity. This "invisible empire" of technical agreement allowed the United States to exert global influence without traditional colonial occupation, as foreign nations voluntarily aligned their infrastructure with American specifications to ensure economic and industrial compatibility.