They tried that. They'd calibrate them by nibbling them to a standard measurement. They'd go too far and would have to nibble down the standard. Eventually the whole supply would shrink to nothing and they'd have to start all over again.
That sounds like a good time to me!
For distance, is it cooked bacon strips or uncooked? Pretty big difference in the long run
Bacon strips for measuring distance and cured and pork bellies for weight.