the french chose the distance from the equator to the pole, as it passes through Paris, 1/10000000, but they then had to measure that distance, which they did,

the french chose the distance from the equator to the pole, as it passes through Paris, 1/10000000, but they then had to measure that distance, which they did, in order to get a divisible number to derive the meter from, which, given the time period, was epic. earlier in there endevors to measure things they (the french) were making surface plates in.the early 1600's, that only recently have been checked for flatness, which they maintain to +-1/4000000", hand made, still in there bureau of standards. the given, is just that, arbitrary,always, so there is every reason to "brand" it