the metric system was first introduced in france in 1791. that system did not have its own unit of capacity or volume because volume can be measured in cubic metres. in 1793 work to make the metric system compulsory in france was started by the temporary commission of republican weights and measures. due to public demand, the commission said that the cubic metre was too big for everyday use. they said that a new unit based on the old cadil should be used instead. one cadil was to be 0.001 cubic metres. this was equivalent to a cube with sides 10 cm. the "cadil" was also known as the "pinte" or the "litron". the "pinte" had been an old french unit of measure of capacity. in 1795 the definition was revised. the "cadil" was given the name "litre".