Tape measure
A tape measure or measuring tape
is a ribbon of cloth, plastic, or metal with
linear-measure markings, often in both imperial and metric units. It is a convenient
measuring tool. Its flexibility allows for
a measure of great length to be easily carried
in pocket or toolkit and permits one to measure around
curves or corners.
Tailors and dressmakers usually have tape measures
of cloth or plastic while builders or carpenters
and similar craftsman will usually use a metalic one that retracts into a storage can. These frequently
have a spring that will retract the metal ribbon
back into its can when released.
A tape measure of 25 or even 100 feet
will wind into a relatively small container.
surveyors use tape measures in lengths on the order of hectometres.
For many purposes tape measures are indispensible.
Almost any home or shop can be expected to
have several of one sort or another.
self-retracting pocket tape measure
