Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. 'Shaletex' retractable pocket measuring tape

Object/Artifact

National Building Arts Center

Front of HPB 'Shaletex' pocket measuring tape

Front view of a small circular measuring tape with a fabric ribbon rule, metal ring, red borders and images of bricks, and black lettering

Name/Title

Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. 'Shaletex' retractable pocket measuring tape

Description

Small circular retractable measuring tape with a fabric ribbon rule, metal ring, red borders and images of bricks, and black lettering detailing the name of the product and its manufacturer (Streator Brick Co. division of the Hydraulic-Press Brick Co.).

Use

Promotional object, used for the purpose of advertising the company and/or its products, to commemorate an event, or to show appreciation to employees of the company.

Collection

Promotional object displays

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Parisian Novelty Co.

Time Period

20th Century

Place

City

Chicago

State/Province

Illinois

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Notes

The manufacturer, Parisian Novelty Co., a Chicago entity, was established in 1898, and on the measuring tape is an indication that their patent for the retractable spring-loaded measuring tape was granted in 1951, and as such, the measuring tape must have been manufactured in or after 1951.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Makers Mark

Location

Top inside corner of the measuring tape, next to the retraction lever/switch

Transcription

"Parisian Novelty Co., Chicago, Pat. 7.10.17, 11.4.19, Pat. No. 2,549,098, Pat. 4.17.51"

Language

English

Material/Technique

Painted

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Measure, Tape

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Rule, Retractable

Nomenclature Class

Weights & Measures T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Getty AAT

Concept

metal

Dimensions

Diameter

3.6 cm

Parts

Count

Parts

Measuring tape

Material

Metal, Fabric

Colors

Color

White, Red, Blue, Yellow

Color Notes

The fabric ribbon rule is yellow.

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Condition Type

Tarnish, Frayed / Fraying

Date Examined

Jul 18, 2026

Examined By

Elena Marshall

Materials

The metal hardware has some tarnishing, and the fabric ribbon rule inside the tape measure is fraying around the edges.

Mechanism

The retraction switch/lever is in good condition and works well, and the ribbon rule can be pulled from the measuring tape fairly easily.

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Elena Marshall

Date

Jul 18, 2026

Web Links and URLs

Article discussing the history of the Parisian Novelty Co.

Notes

(See Made/Created)

Create Date

July 18, 2026

Update Date

July 25, 2026