I well remember those meters. We lived in Burbank, CA when I was very young, and I remember going to the JC Penney with my mother and she would buy fabric to make us dresses. I do remember that meter, and how the clerk would wiggle the fabric back and forth to get the meter to the exact mark, then press the lever to get the little slit. Then out she would whip it, and grasping both sides, rip it off!! I remember we didn't buy very much at a time because we didn't have much money. But I used to love putting on those dresses as soon as Mom was finished sewng them. Very exciting!! Thanks for that great memory!