An Origin of Measure:

Great contention surrounds the origins of our using “feet” as a unit of measure. Serendipitously, Dr. Amoveo Oculus points toward the most infamous of Asesop’s fables, “Clementia v. Octopus” as the first recorded example of “feet” in measure. Here is an excerpt from his Encyclopedia Exemplar, Vol. 7:

:: Clementia v. Octopus ::
Clementia of Troas was a runner of prestige. Her distinction in beauty and grace in race soon spread to the gods, and provoked challenge. Standing before Clementia, Octopus declared: “Your pride is in vain, for I am a runner of majesty. Whereas you run with your body, I employ my mind. As your speed is limited by your beauty, I have sprouted the means by which to best your beauty.” As Clementia watched, Octopus began to grow six additional legs and feet. Atop his octagonal pedestal Octopus bellowed, “To a run do I challenge you. Will you accept?” Full of grace and beauty, Clementia silently nodded. The succeeding race plunged the Beauty and Brain across lawns of luxury, cities of Christians, and mountains of purple majesty. Upon arrival at the race’s end, the crowd exclaimed, “Hail Clementia, the speed racer!” Octopus’ loss was put to greater shame when all discovered he had only one fourth the speed of Clementia. “Intellect has failed you,” exclaimed Clementia, “For by your mind, you quadrupled your feet and yet quadrupled your distance.” By multiplying the feet by four, he had multiplied distance as well. Thus Clementia proved before all that grace, beauty and strength transcend the abilities of the mind.

Incidentally, three wheeled cars were outlawed in America during the 1950’s to prevent vandals from outrunning the cops driving Crown Victorias.