Steve asked:
> 
>> I have Lufkin catalog # 104 here. I can't find a year on it, but my guess is
>> about 1930 - 1945. It lists #8151 as a "Taylor's curve stick".  I believe
>> these were used to measure the distance between the floor and the bottom of
>> the hem of a lady's dress.
>> 
> 
>   Why curved?
> 
I don't really know Stave. I do have two others that are curved, and I do
not think these were made by Lufkin. So,one answer would be "tradition" that
would appeal to tailors preferences.

There are straight tailor's sticks or measures, as well as several other
curved shapes that I know of. If we look at other tools like chisels, saws,
axes to name a few during the 1800's and early 1900's we see tremendous
variety within groups of functionally equivalent tools. The only reason I
can see for this that businesses tried to use product variety as a way to
compete for the craftsman's business.

If others have additional ideas, I would enjoy hearing them.

Chris (Who'd better get to work!)