# Blank Measuring Tools The Story Tape Allows People to Make Their Own Marks By Meghan Young | Published 2013-04-01 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/story-tape References: [bookofjoe](http://www.bookofjoe.com/2013/04/story-tape.html) & [leevalley](http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=65359&cat=1,43513,65359) The Story Tape may have started out as an April's Fool Day prank, but people liked it so much it has been put into production. The Story Tape is essentially a [blank measuring tool](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comandi) that allows people to sharpie in their own marks instead of recording them on a separate piece of paper or even on the surface they are measuring. Created by Ottawa-based Lee Valley Tools, the Story Tape is perfect for those who don't have a head for numbers. Based solely on visuals, it still serves the same purpose, just on a much more simple scale. Although the Story Tape can still be used for [traditional measurements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/measure-tools), it would be particularly great for such things as keeping track of a [child's growth](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storyland-illustrated-personalized-ebook). This makes it a perfect keepsake. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Blank Measuring Tools:** Opportunity to create measuring tools that can be customized by the user. - **Visual-based Measurements:** Opportunity to create measuring tools that rely solely on visuals. - **Nostalgic Keepsakes:** Opportunity to create tools that serve a functional purpose and become sentimental keepsakes for users. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Home Improvement:** Opportunity to create blank measuring tools for DIY home improvement projects. - **Child Development:** Opportunity to create measuring tools specifically designed for tracking a child's growth. - **Arts and Crafts:** Opportunity to create visual-based measuring tools for artists and crafters. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sleek Rounded Measuring Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/enso-tape.md) - [Next-Gen Connected Tape Measures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-tape-measure.md) - [Connected Professional Tape Measures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/acegmet-dtx-10.md) - [Bluetooth-Connected Tape Measures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/datapro-25.md) - [Magnetic Measuring Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tisolver.md) - [Tape Measurable Time Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/setime-clock.md) - [Rolling Portable Measuring Tapes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neorulergo.md) - [Magnifying Measurement Rulers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fun-sizes-ruler.md) - [Next-Gen Tape Measures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comandi.md)