A Short History of Duck Tape

Duck tape, sometimes referred to as duct tape, was invented by the Johnson & Johnson company in 1942. It was originally referred to as duck tape for two reasons: First, it was made from a cloth called cotton duck and second, because it was intended to be waterproof.

During WWII soldiers found this tape to be versatile enough to fix everything from guns, jeeps, and clothing to airplanes! Duck tape patched holes in every piece of equipment the army used!

Its original color was army green but like so many other inventions it migrated into the civilian sector after the war with a new color and new use. It was produced in silver and grey and began to be used in the housing industry to connect duct work. Thus a new name was attached to the familiar duck tape.

More recently the tape has been produced by several companies in lots of colors and we crafters took it up as a challenge which I think we've pretty much met and exceeded!

Come on all you inventors. Come up with something new that we can get out hands on!