NEW BRITIAN, CONNECTICUT WITH GLOBAL MATERIALS Proudly manufacturing select CRAFTSMAN® Tape Measures using global materials.

A tape measure, or measuring tape is a type of hand tool typically used to measure distance or size. It is like a much longer flexible ruler consisting of a case, thumb lock, blade/tape, hook, and sometimes a belt clip. A tape measure will have imperial readings, metric readings or both.

The Irwin Strait-Line Tape Measure is our top pick for its bold, distinct numbers and long standout that can measure large areas, especially if you are doing it by yourself.

In 1829, Chesterman patented a spring tape measure that utilized flat metal with marked measurements. The metal was cased inside of a donut-shaped leather case that made the tool easy to transport and use. After receiving a patent for his invention, Chesterman began to sell the product for $17 in the United States.

Select CRAFTSMAN power tools, hand tools, lawn and garden equipment, and storage are being made with pride in the USA with global materials–and it's here to stay.

These tools are US-made, appearing identical to their previous non-industrial US-made counterparts, save for the "Industrial" name stamped on them. They are manufactured by Apex on the US production lines that previously produced the US-made standard Craftsman product before production switched overseas to Asia.

Measurement is defined as the process of comparison of an unknown quantity with a known or standard quantity.

There are seven main parts of a tape measure: the case, the case length, the thumb lock, the blade (or tape), the hook, the hook slot, and the belt clip.

Top 5 Duct Tapes

• Best Traditional Tape: Gorilla Duct Tape.
• Largest Pack: Lockport Duct Tape.
• Best Color Options: Duck Duct Tape.
• Best Tearing: 3M Duct Tape.
• Best Clear Tape: Gorilla Repair Duct Tape.

Overall, our top picks for best tape measure are the Komelon Self-Lock Power Tape for everyday use and the Stanley FatMax Tape Rule for heavy-duty use. We recommend the Craftsman Self-Lock Tape Measure if you need to make exact measurements.

The first patented long tape measure in the United States was granted U.S. patent #29,096 issued 10 July 1860 to William H. Paine of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and produced by George M. Eddy and Company of Brooklyn, New York.

One of the first documented tape measures arrived on the scene in 1829 and was patented by James Chesterman. This first tape measure was made of steel and was made from the left over wire that was used for hoop skirts.