This is a hand-held metal tape measure coiled into a reel. The tape consists of a narrow strip of metal 100 feet long wound around a central disk. The metal strip has a loop at the end and is graduated at 1 foot intervals. Each graduation is scratched into a raised portion of the tape. The reel can be held in the hand via a black plastic handle. At the centre of the coil there is a handle which can be folded out in order to rewind the tape onto the reel.
Accession Number: 2019.ast.161
Alternative Name: Measuring Tape
Primary Materials: Metal: Iorn Alloy, Plastic
On the reel: “THE LUFKIN RULE CO
SAGINAW, MICH
MADE IN U.S.A.”
On the winding handle: “100 FEET”
On the metal strip: “LUFKIN 100 FT”
Length = 31.5, Width = 18.5, Height = 3.5
This was used to measure lengths up to 100 feet. That this tape is not graduated in a finer scale than feet suggests it was never used for very precise measurement.
Good: The surface of the tape is corroded throughout its entire length. The reel holder is also somewhat corroded on the surface, but the winding handle is in good condition and only has small scratches and some corrosion on the hinge. The handle has a number of small dents.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: The Lufkin Rule Company
Date of Manufacture: Early 20th Century?
This object was likely moved from the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill in 2008, upon the sale of the observatory. It was stored at the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics until 2017, when it was moved to a new storage location in McLennan Physical Laboratories.
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