An apparatus includes: an elongated conductor (e.g., having a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension); an elongated resistor contacting the elongated conductor; and secondary conductors contacting the elongated resistor. The elongated resistor is positioned between the elongated conductor and the secondary conductors. A cover surrounds the elongated conductor, the elongated resistor, and the secondary conductors. The electrical resistance of the elongated resistor changes in proportion to an amount of force exerted upon the elongated resistor. The secondary conductors output electrical resistance measurements of corresponding areas of elongated resistor that the secondary conductors contact. A processor (that is operatively connected to the secondary conductors) automatically calculates the force applied to the elongated resistor based on the electrical resistance measurements output by the secondary conductors to produce different weight measurements. This allows the processor to automatically output the different weight measurements of the items applying force against the apparatus.