National Tape Measure Day
Use your trusty tape measure on #NationalTapeMeasureDay
14 July is National Tape Measure Day, the perfect opportunity to use your trusty tape measure, and measure everything twice.
The lives of carpenters, electricians, seamstresses and countless other trades- and craftspeople were made easier when Alvin J Fellows from Connecticut registered a patent on Improvements in Tape Measures on 14 July 1868, ushering in the generation of retractable tape measures.
The Romans are credited with the first recorded use of the tape measure, utilising marked strips of leather. Before Fellows’ patent, a steel measuring tape was designed by Englishman James Chesterman, but it was very expensive for its time, and was also very bulky and would not fit into a pocket or tool box. Fellows’ patent was an improvement on Chesterman’s design.
The tape measures we know and use today come in a wide variety of sizes, colours and materials. Some are so small they can fit into the palm of your hand, while others are bigger and can measure lengths of more than 90 metres. They are used by many people – from DIYers at home, to contractors and even construction workers. This tool is very popular and almost every household owns at least one.
Celebrate today by using your favourite tape measure to measure to your heart’s content. If you do not own one, today is the perfect opportunity to go out and buy yourself one.
Use #NationalTape MeasureDay to post on social media.
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