The first lecture begins with a brief overview of the origin of the metric system and the international system of units (SI). Even from the earliest days the concept was to create a system of units based on nature. However, as one can easily see, we actually created in practice an artifact-based system of units that has since 1960 been slowly transforming to a set of units that are increasingly based on nature. The first standard was the unit of time followed by length and for all practical purpose electrical units have been quantum based since the early 1990 s. With the planned redefinition in 2018 the new SI or quantum SI will be based on a set of principles that are based on the Standard Model of Physics. This lecture provides a description of how the SI began and how we have evolved to the present day. Toward the end of the lecture a summary of quantum standards and metrology today is provided before presenting a brief picture of the future that will include integrated embedded standards that provide far better metrology for both the factory floor and consumer technology.