Duct or Duck Tape?

Wallets, clothing, tools, appliances, home décor, and cars; chances are you have seen one of these fashioned or repaired by duct tape. It is the tool of all tools for the Jack of all trades. Where do you keep your roll?

Originally referred to as “Duck Tape” it was developed by the Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division in 1942. During WWII the military discovered a need for a tape that was strong, flexible, durable, and waterproof. They needed something that could seal ammunition boxes and quickly repair broken parts. Using medical tape as a base Permacel applied two new technologies to create the ultimate fix-all solution. First they gave the tape its unshakeable stick using polycoat adhesives and second they were able to laminate the tape to a cloth backing using polyethylene coating. Due to its ability to keep out water and being made from a type of canvas commonly referred to as “duck cotton” in the textile industry, the name “Duck Tape” was adopted. The tape’s amazing versatility was quickly discovered by military personnel. Soldiers began using it to repair guns, jeeps, shoes, and even aircrafts.

After the war the tape was adapted to the use of connecting heating and air conditioning duct work and the color changed from green to the unmistakable grey that we all know. Because of this change in major application the public began referring to the tape as “Duct Tape.”

Johnson and Johnson’s product has far exceeded any expectations they may have ever had for the product. Though stronger tapes do exist, duct tape can pull up to 2000 pounds when doubled over itself and can still be torn with your hands. Now, duct tape comes in every color of the rainbow and Duck is now a brand of duct tape. There are contests held to design clothing and other artifacts purely out of duct tape and the product is used as a home remedy for warts. CNN reported in 2003 that retail stores were emptied of roles of duct tape due to a rise in fear of a terrorist attack, showing how much of a “staple” the product has become in people’s life.