The DIN Standard

Going back almost a hundred years ago (1917)....Germany started up something called Deutsches Institut fur Normung.....the German Institute for Standardization.

Basically, some smart guys and some political folks met, and had this bright idea that things ought to be standardized.

Once these institute folks meet, and agree on something....that's it.  It's absolutely accepted throughout Germany, and you are expected to comply.

A4 paper?  Well....it's the accepted size of paper for all German education and business transactions today....only because it went through the DIN process and was approved.

There are roughly thirty thousand-odd DIN standards.  There are standards written for bridges, tunnels, and road surfaces.  There are standards written for airports and train stations.  There's even a DIN for first-aid kits in cars, which is the most recently updated DIN (January 2014).

Once they write a DIN down....it's absolutely mandated.  You can't go around and violate the DIN standards.....you'd end up in trouble....both in court and in connecting whatever you have to the rest of the German world.

DIN 1202 has to deal with pipes and manhole covers.  DIN 1209 has to do with solar devices and solar-powered water-heaters.  DIN 1450 deals with acceptable font sizes for books and letters.

DIN has a hidden plus-side for the German business side.  Because of standardization....German products as they roll off the assembly line....are built by specs and the DIN standards.  If the standard says that brakes must meet this one standard....it's absolute.  If steel is pressed and said to be such-and-such type.....then whoever buys the steel is absolutely assured of its quality.

Would Microsoft and Facebook have developed as they are today....if they'd been German companies and facing DIN standards?  No.  Neither would have been able to make bold moves, as they've demonstrated.  There are as many pluses to the DIN system....as negatives.

For Germans....this act of standardization back in 1917....has major implications for today's commerce.  Germans sell technology and products geared to DIN standards.  You buy a Mercedes because it's a high standard and quality.  You buy German precision for a reason.

So when you hear someone quoting DIN 6340....you know it has something do with Germans and washers for clamping devices.  It's best not to start asking questions....you'd get pretty deep into washers....their thickness, shape, and precise hole measurement.  Stuff better left for a rainy day discussion, if you ask me.