a powered reel - type tape measuring device that has a reel of flexible metal measuring tape rotatably mounted on a shaft in a housing with measuring indicia on the tape . an electric powered motor is coupled to a flexible drive roller for pulling the tape from the housing and to the reel itself for pulling the tape into the housing and rewinding it on the reel . a switch having first and second contacts is operatively coupled to the electric power device for energizing the power - driven device to selectively rotate the flexible roller to pull the tape in a forward direction out of the housing with activation of the first switch contact and to drive the reel to pull the tape into the housing for rewinding when the switch is activated in the second position .