On this day in 1947, Howard Hughes flew the world's largest airplane, actually a "sea" plane made of plywood. It weighed 200 tons and was named the Spruce Goose. On its one-and-only flight, it flew for only 2 miles -- a scant 70 feet above the water. But it was enough to give the Goose a place in history. Plywood itself is prone to "scant measurements" and its own brand of "close shaves" (although less exciting). We know that 2 x 4s aren't 2 inches by 4 inches, but half-inch plywood is certainly half-inch -- right? It's actually 15/32nds, which is called "scant-sizing." As with 2 by 4s, half-inch plywood is allowed some tolerance-variation (in this case 1/32nd of an inch)-- and with 15/32nds, it meets and performs within "standards." The only problem is when it's matched up to something that is truly and exactly one-half inch. Thought you should know because being low can be a problem. Just ask Howard Hughes when it comes to landing. And that's the On The House tip for today.