https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=86.25.245.236explain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-07-10T01:24:32ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=284:_Tape_Measure&diff=40932284: Tape Measure2013-06-17T05:57:41Z<p>86.25.245.236: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 284<br />
| date = July 02, 2007<br />
| title = Tape Measure<br />
| image = tape_measure.png<br />
| titletext = This sequence was later reproduced in the International Tape-Extending Federation archives, retitled 'The Founding of the Sport'.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete}}<br />
At this comic [[Cueball]] acts like a small boy, finding something and then playing with it. Also the title text is showing that he is dreaming for a big sports career like many (or maybe all) young boys do.<br />
<br />
Since [[Randall]] worked at {{w|Nasa}} in the past, that "Eight feet" should be "2.4384 meters" or approx. 2.5 meters by using the {{w|Metric system}}. In 1999 Nasa lost the {{w|Mars Climate Orbiter}} because of a mix up with {{w|United States customary units}} and metric units.<br />
<br />
Most countries are using the metric system, but the US is still on miles, feet, gallons... and this causes confusion in international conversations.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Cueball finds a tape measure.]<br />
:Cueball: Hey, a tape measure!<br />
:[Cueball extends the tape measure.]<br />
:''extend extend''<br />
:[The tape measure falls.]<br />
:''clatter''<br />
:[Cueball tries again.]<br />
:''extend''<br />
:Cueball: Eight feet! I wonder if that's a world record?<br />
:[Cueball imagines ... In an olympic stadium.]<br />
:Audience: Go! Go! Gooooo!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]</div>86.25.245.236