the first retractable tape measure was invented in 1864.
the first retractable tape measure was invented in 1864.
when was the first retractable tape measure invented?
1864
the spring tape measure has existed in the u.s. since bang's patent in 1864, but its usage did not become very popular due to the difficulty in communication from one town to another and the expense of the tape measure. in the late 1920s, carpenters began slowly adopting h. a. farrand's design as the one more commonly used. farrand's new design was a concave/convex tape made of metal which would stand straight out a distance of four to six feet. this design is the basis for most modern pocket tape measures used today.
tape measure
tape measures are often designed for specific uses or trades. tapes may have different scales, be made of different materials, and be of different lengths depending on the use it is intended for. tape measures that were intended for use in tailoring or dressmaking were made from flexible cloth or plastic. they are named “sewing tape”. these types of tape measures were mainly used for the measuring of the subject’s waist line. today, measuring tapes made for sewing are made of fiberglass, which does not tear or stretch as easily. measuring tapes designed for carpentry or construction often use a stiff, curved metallic ribbon that can remain stiff and straight when extended, but retracts into a coil for convenient storage. this type of tape measure will have a floating tang or hook on the end to aid measuring. the tang is connected to the tape with loose rivets through oval holes, and can move a distance equal to its thickness, to provide both inside and outside measurements that are accurate. a tape measure of 25 or even 100 feet can wind into a relatively small container. the self-marking tape measure allows the user an accurate one hand measure.
tape measure