My grandfather and some of his children owned a General Merchandise store (everything from feed for animals, coal, kerosine, to groceries, to "work clothes [khaki's and denims]", shoes, linens, dishes, lingerie, fabrics and notions, costume jewelry, hats, and on and on. Well, my aunt bought one of those little machines to measure fabrics.They sold fabric until the store was demolished and rebuilt in 1968. Have no idea what happened to the gizmo, but I'm sure it's in someone's "stash" from the old store.