The world depends on a collection of strange items. They're not cheap

This government warehouse keeps our entire society up to standard. Part of this video was sponsored by Google Domains. Take the first step to get online with a domain name from Google Domains - go to domains.google/veritasium to get 20% off your first year. #GoogleDomains

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Thanks to Rich Press and NIST for the great visit.
Thanks to Dr. Steve Choquette, Dr. Ben Place, and Dr. Johanna Camara for teaching us about the world of Standard Reference Materials.
You can check out all the cool work going on at NIST here: https://www.nist.gov/

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References:

NIST (2022). Standard Reference Materials. – https://ve42.co/WhyStandard2022

Montgomery, R. & Bercik, I. (2022). NIST Standard Reference Materials 2022 Catalog. – https://ve42.co/SRMCatalog

Vincent, J. (2022). Made to measure: why we can’t stop quantifying our lives. The Guardian –
https://ve42.co/Vincent2022

Proffitt, A. (2022). NIST Develops Monkeypox Reference Materials, Sees Growing Role in Outbreak Response. Diagnostics World. – https://ve42.co/Proffitt2022

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Written by Derek Muller & Emily Zhang
Edited by Trenton Oliver
Animation by Ivy Tello & Mike Radjabov
Filmed by Derek Muller, Trenton Oliver, and Emily Zhang
Additional video/photos supplied by Pond5 & Getty Images
Music from Epidemic Sound
Produced by Derek Muller, Petr Lebedev, and Emily Zhang