General Public

The National Institute of Standards and Technology develops technologies, measurement methods and standards that help U.S. companies compete in the global marketplace. Congress created NIST in 1901 at the start of the industrial revolution to provide the measurement and standards needed to resolve and prevent disputes over trade and to encourage standardization. That's why you can have confidence that a gallon of milk contains one gallon and that the electric meter at your house accurately gauges how much electricity you use. Today NIST continues to develop measurements and standards needed by industry, and also develops technologies that help our nation remain prosperous. NIST also helps manufacturers improve their productivity through a nationwide network of assistance centers. The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is another way NIST promotes organizational performance excellence. To learn more, check out the links listed below.
	General NIST information	The official U.S. time
	NIST in Your Community--explore how NIST works to help make everyone's life a little better each day	Frequently asked questions about time
	NIST in Your House -- shows where NIST has an unseen role	Metric information
	NIST and Your City -- gives the NIST connection to many components of society	Visitor information
	Taking America's Measure--enjoy fun activities for kids	How to get to NIST, Gaithersburg, Md.
	NIST is 100; check out NIST history	How to get to NIST, Boulder, Colo.
	NIST virtual museum	Photo gallery of NIST projects
	How the Declaration of Independence and other Charters of Freedom are preserved
	A Walk Through Time - the evolution of time measurement
See also: About NIST, A-Z Subject Index, NIST Home Page Date created: 9/6/00 Last updated: 08/14/07 Contact: inquiries@nist.gov