Definition of Calipers

People in many disciplines use calipers to take critical measurements because they provide the precision which diverse industries such as medicine and machining demand. You will encounter calipers at the fitness club, in the hospital, and in your automobile brake assembly.

History

• The word "calipers" comes from the term "calliper compass," a measuring device originating in the 16th century for sizing the bore of a cannon. Similarly, "calipers" is a derivation of "caliber," the size of a bullet mold.

Function

• A calliper compass is a device to measure a cannon bore.

  Calipers hold an object in between two legs in order to measure its thickness or size. Calipers can measure the interior of a hole or tube if you place the legs inside the object. The device has either a digital readout, a ruled line, or a dial to quantify measurement.

Types

• EKG calipers help doctors evaluate an electrocardiogram.

  A vernier caliper measures length. Body fat calipers measure the amount of fat under a person's skin. EKG calipers measure electrocardiogram waves. Brake calipers hold auto brake discs in place but do not measure them.

Identification

• Inside firm joint calipers.

  Two common types of calipers are outside spring calipers, which have curved hinged legs and inside firm-joint calipers, which have straight legs.

Fun Fact

• Calipers were part of a phrenologist's tool kit.

  Practitioners of 19th century phrenology--the study of the skull to determine the subject's mental and moral fiber--used calipers to take skull measurements.