why are partition studs spaced 2 16

huangyhg

why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?
why is 16" the magical number?  does this have to do with standard drywall panel sizes?
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wall panel sheet products (drywall) are typially 48" wide.  in some cases drywall panels are installed horizontally in 8 ft or 12 ft sections.
16" is for equal spacing, however 24" is commonly used. but this will depend on the spanning strength of the wall panel being used.
16" is the most commonly specified (and traditonal) spacing

if you look at your handy dandy tape measure, you'll also notice a mark at 19.2 inches.  this is an alternate spacing for 5 studs every 8'-0".
if you go 24" with drywall then you better use 5/8" so that it is not wavy.
2x4 studs are sometimes spaced at 12" also, depending on the structural requirements.  2x6 studs are sometimes installed at 24" oc.   
16" oc allows even spacing on 48" panel intervals, and its just about the minimum space that some contractors can fit through without snagging their belt buckle.

the spacing of wall studs is dependent on the load they are carrying.  spacings of 16", 12" & 8" are very common for load bearing walls.  non-load bearing wall studs are usually spaced at 24" o.c so that the wall panel edges terminate at a stud.   
it's interesting to note that old walls constructed with studs, wood lath and plaster are also spaced at 16... question still not answered?
dik
" light frame house construction " us office of education 1940 reprint  " the standard length of lath has established 16" as the standard spacing for studs " ..... "a museum of early american tools" eric sloane p 32-33 illustrates the making , with a froe, of "accordian lath" where an oak slab is partially split on alternating sides and pulled apart like an accordian !....wood lath uses green wood and is thouroughly wet before use so the wood doesn't absorb water from the plaster.so a convenient width of wood for the accordian lath was 16" ,that established 16" stud distance which became standard .
great research, robertmet.  now everybody will want to know what a froe is.
froe = 60's - 70's hair style