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Welcome to Duct Tape 101. Although DuctTapeGuys.com is basically a humor site, we often get visitors looking for REAL, useful information about Duct Tape. So, we decided to hold a class (or online seminar if you will) to answer some of the common questions that we get asked about Duct Tape. If the answer to your question doesn't appear below, just email us the question and we will see what we can do to answer it for you.
P.S. No, you don't have to ask us permission to use this material for school reports!
In California, to be called "Duct Tape" the tape must meet certain heat-resistant standards - assuming that people will want to use it on ductwork (see below). Other duct tape-like tapes that don’t recommend use for ductwork are usually called cloth tape or gaff tape (see below).
In general, I think the answer is - everyone knows someone in their family (if not themselves) that uses duct tape to a ridiculous and laughable extent. This makes it a very recognizable and intrinsic part of our popular culture.
I guess we know about as much as anyone about duct tape origins - so we've become the "experts," or the conveyors of folk lore - as the case may be. It was actually rather hard to find anyone to admit to the actual invention of duct tape. The closest we got to a consistent story was the Johnson and Johnson Revolite Division (until 1953 when it was renamed Permacel) who made the stuff for the U.S. Military during World War II. The original use was to keep the moisture out of the ammunition cases. Because it was waterproof, people referred to the tape as "Duck Tape." Also, the tape was made using cotton duck - similar to what was used in their cloth medical tapes. Military personnel quickly discovered that the tape was very versatile and used it to fix their guns, jeeps, aircraft, etc. After the war, the tape was used in the booming housing industry to connect heating and air conditioning duct work together. Soon, the color was changed from Army green to silver to match the ductwork and people started to refer to duck tape as "Duct Tape." (By the way, "Duck Tape" is now a registered trademark of Duck® brand (a division of ShurTech Brands, LLC) in Avon, Ohio. WAIT! We just got more information about the origins of duct tape that attributes the original idea to a woman working at an Ordnance Plant in Dixon, Illinois. Read the rest of the story in a special edition of Duct Tape on a Roll. Adhesive tape (specifically masking tape) was invented in the 1920's by Richard Drew of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Co. (3M). Duck tape (the WWII military version) was first created and manufactured in 1942 (approximate date) by the Johnson and Johnson Revolite (Permacel) Division. Its closest predecessor was medical tape. (No specific person or group of people at Johnson and Johnson have been named in the development of duct tape. Don't ask them... they don't know. But, if you know anything about the origins that we haven't been able to find, let us know!) Clarification: Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division (originally, Revolite Corporation until 1947 when it was renamed the Industrial Tape Corporation - in 1953 the name was changed to Permacel), were the manufacturers of the original "duct" tape for the military.
Gaff tape (used in the entertainment/movie industry to hold down power and audio/video cords) usually comes in a flat (non-reflective) black color and differs in that the adhesive is removable without leaving a residue. Watch movie credits for the job title "Gaffer" - this is the person who handles and tapes down all of the cords required to make a film/television show.
Note: We also wrote "The WD-40 Book featuring the uses of WD-40 - the other tool we have in our toolbox. We have two rules to get you through life: If it's not stuck and it's supposed to be, duct tape it. If it's stuck and it's not supposed to be, WD-40 it.
On skin: We suggest Tape Remover (shown in the plastic bottle on the left) from Cramer Sports Medicine Solutions. This product deactivates tape residue and adherent, rather than dissolving it. Fast-acting formula replenishes lost oils, moisturizes the skin.
Duct tape by any other name... Click here to read other names given to "duct tape." |
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Your instructors: Jim and Tim - The Duct Tape Guys have written seven books about duct tape (since 1994) and have compiled the popular 365 Days of Duct tape Page-a-Day® calendars (since 1996). They also tour the world evangelizing "The Gospel of Duct Tape" presenting their patented brand of wacky and bizarrely creative Duct Tape Stand-Up Comedy.
Attendance will not be taken and there will be no pop quizzes or final tests in Duct Tape 101. Our goal is to familiarize you with Duct Tape: The Ultimate Power Tool so you can handle all of the little "pop quizzes" that life throws your way. Buy the Duct Tape Guys' books, videos and Duct Tape apparel at The Duct Tape Guys’ Duct Tape Pro Shop (click the logo) |
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