Steel measuring tape is an interesting material, in that it's rigid enough to hold its shape when extended, but flexible enough that it gives way under pressure. Scientists have taken advantage of ...

Unspooling measuring tape to see how far it would extend before bending is a game that plenty of people played as kids and ...

That’s because the tape is both robust and flexible; can be stored in a small container when retracted; and can reach far when extended. After a series of trial-and-error experiments, the engineers ...

Ever noticed the loose end on a tape measure? Learn why it's designed that way and how it helps you measure accurately.