Collections Item Detail
Tape measure, pocket: LST, marking 90th anniversary of Keuffel & Esser Co., N.Y., 1957
Object/Artifact
LST, Level-Square-Tape (combination pocket tape measure) commemorating the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of Keuffel & Esser Co., New York; made by K&E, 1957. Die cast metal case with gold-tone finish and printed logo and text plates on each broad side; 1/2" wide retractable steel tape measure, 10 feet long in inches and sixteenths, white with black markings, "Wyteface"; integral bubble level in top edge.
This particular one was issued by the Detroit branch sales office as it is marked "Detroit" under the company name. Other issues of this have been seen with other branch office names on them. Apparently a keepsake gift to employees (as stated by the donor according to their source; it belonged to a K&E regional employee) in the year of this celebration. It is also possible that the item was used promotionally as gift to selected customers.
The product is marked K&E LST, a trademark name for "Level Square Tape"; product was introduced in 1956; see archives 2010.052.0004 page 5. No product number is found on the object here. It does appear in later company literature as product no. 90 0510 with the tape marked differently than the one here (first six inches to 1/32" inch/foot numbers in red every inch/stud marks every 16 inches.)
K&E main office and factories were in Hoboken when this item was made which has relief lettering on the case, "Made in U.S.A."
2009.006.0227
2009.006
Lukacs, Claire
Gift
Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.
1957 - 1957
Date: 1957-1957
Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2009-10-13