Cool Tools: Fish Tapes Published: February 2010 From a length of
stiff wire pushed through a pipe to a precision instrument for
running wire through conduit and many other confined, difficult-
to-access spaces, the evolution of the fish tape illustrates how
a relatively simple basic tools advance to meet changing needs.
The unknown electrician who first pushed a rigid length of wire
through a pipe to pull electric wire back through it had a good
idea but probably didn’t profit from his common-sense invention.
The first fish tape tools, consisting of pulling wire enclosed
in a case, were introduced more than 50 years ago. “Fish tapes
today come in many different cross-section profiles and
materials to ease fishing in conduit, walls, under carpets,
subfloors and above suspended ceilings, as well as around other
obstacles,” said Ron Axon, Greenlee Textron. The most widely
used tapes are made of steel and fiberglass and are available in
lengths from 25 to 250 feet. Rugged cases have an inner rotating
reel on which