Firstly, the Ancient Sumerians and Egyptians were the first people to devise units of measurements such as foot, fathom, cubit span, digit etc.
But because of differences with the measurements, it was modified.
The Metric System was obtained through the Systeme Internationale de Unites or SI where the metric system was obtained. This was developed in France in 1791 but modernized in 1960.
*Metric System- simpler unit of measurement since its based on the power of ten
hope i helped you with your question! :D