On July 14th, 1868, 151 years ago today, Alvin Fellows, of New Haven, Connecticut, patented his "new and useful improvement in spring measuring tapes." Though not the first, Fellows' design is widely ...

If you have ever used a tape measure, you may have noticed a little hole or slot on the end of it. We'll tell you what that ...

Tape measures typically consist of a long flexible steel blade (the tape) coiled inside a plastic or metal case with a spring mechanism to retract the tape after being extended. While the markings can ...

Tiny black diamonds on measuring tapes are used to mark wall studs. On most measuring tapes, the black diamonds are spaced 19 3/16 inches apart to indicate the typical spacing of joists. Wall studs, ...

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? Fractions: If you’ve ever had difficulty with fractions, using a tape measure just ...

In the nineteenth century, new technologies allowed skirts to blossom as never before–which in turn sparked other innovations, not always expected. The first patent for a steel tape measure was ...

Whether you’re measuring pieces for a home DIY project, working on a professional construction site or want to be sure a couch will fit in your living room, there’s no substitute for the best tape ...