DennyT
Loc: Central Missouri woods
Originally developed by military :
“””” Another WWII invention came with Duct Tape. It was invented by Johnson & Johnson Co., with the request of the military to create an adhesive that could withstand difficult conditions. Their initial invention was called “duck tape,” as it proved waterproof. After the war, it became widely used by civilians, most often to seal ductwork. So much so, that it was renamed as Duct Tape and rebranded in silver to match modern heating and air systems.
“”””
Other military inventions
https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/7-products-you-didnt-know-were-invented-by-the-military/
Interesting bit of trivia. I have wondered occasionally.
DennyT wrote:
Originally developed by military :
“””” Another WWII invention came with Duct Tape. It was invented by Johnson & Johnson Co., with the request of the military to create an adhesive that could withstand difficult conditions. Their initial invention was called “duck tape,” as it proved waterproof. After the war, it became widely used by civilians, most often to seal ductwork. So much so, that it was renamed as Duct Tape and rebranded in silver to match modern heating and air systems.
“”””
Other military inventions
https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/7-products-you-didnt-know-were-invented-by-the-military/Originally developed by military : br “””” Another... (
show quote)
And in World War II they made so much that they were still using it in Korea and Vietnam. My unit still had a case or two from WW II when we got to Nam. I used some of that old stuff to keep the fittings on my rifle sling from rattling and to cover my dog tags. I don't remember right now if I ever took the tape off my dog tags since I came straight home for discharge from Nam so no stateside unit to tell me to take it off. The dog tags are stashed somewhere in the house but I don't feel like digging to find out. And the color was the famous OD Green.
And now there is a "Duck" tape company who make all kinds of colors and patterns. And they sponsor a contest for high school students whose prom outfits are partly or wholly made of their tape. The "Stuck at Prom" contest. The prizes are scholarships and 2020 was their 20th contest:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duck-brand-announces-grand-prize-winners-of-20th-annual-stuck-at-prom-contest-301098223.html#:~:text=AVON%2C%20Ohio%2C%20July%2022%2C,the%20crown%20for%20Best%20Tux.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
The way I heard it, "Duck" was a name for a cheap fabric that was used as a backing for the tape.
I witnessed plane captains and others cover small holes on jets with duck tape. Jets that landed on the flight deck with battle damage were inspected; if only small holes were found, they were taped. Larger holes were patched.
If done properly the tape lasted through several flights.
DennyT wrote:
Originally developed by military :
“””” Another WWII invention came with Duct Tape. It was invented by Johnson & Johnson Co., with the request of the military to create an adhesive that could withstand difficult conditions. Their initial invention was called “duck tape,” as it proved waterproof. After the war, it became widely used by civilians, most often to seal ductwork. So much so, that it was renamed as Duct Tape and rebranded in silver to match modern heating and air systems.
“”””
Other military inventions
https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/7-products-you-didnt-know-were-invented-by-the-military/Originally developed by military : br “””” Another... (
show quote)
I heard that when the GIs returned and some went into the construction field they needed something to seal the AC ducts together. They remembered the Duck tape and how good that was. That evolved into being known as duct tape. Just a different version.
DennyT wrote:
Originally developed by military :
“””” Another WWII invention came with Duct Tape. It was invented by Johnson & Johnson Co., with the request of the military to create an adhesive that could withstand difficult conditions. Their initial invention was called “duck tape,” as it proved waterproof. After the war, it became widely used by civilians, most often to seal ductwork. So much so, that it was renamed as Duct Tape and rebranded in silver to match modern heating and air systems.
“”””
Other military inventions
https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/7-products-you-didnt-know-were-invented-by-the-military/Originally developed by military : br “””” Another... (
show quote)
In the UK I routinely see it sold as DUCK tape & I don't think I've ever seen it sold as DUCT tape.
This tape along with several of the other items in the linked article where invented in response to a request from the military but not actually by the military. The undershirt needed little further development so I'll certainly give you that one, but coming up with a list of requirements is not the same as inventing - otherwise I could 'invent' faster than light transport...
DennyT wrote:
Originally developed by military :
“””” Another WWII invention came with Duct Tape. It was invented by Johnson & Johnson Co., with the request of the military to create an adhesive that could withstand difficult conditions. Their initial invention was called “duck tape,” as it proved waterproof. After the war, it became widely used by civilians, most often to seal ductwork. So much so, that it was renamed as Duct Tape and rebranded in silver to match modern heating and air systems.
“”””
Other military inventions
https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/7-products-you-didnt-know-were-invented-by-the-military/Originally developed by military : br “””” Another... (
show quote)
Duck tape is a wonderous invention. I remember it being used extensively by our aircraft mechanics to patch bullet holes in the fuselage until maintenance could install a rivet patch over the hole(s). We called it "100 mile an hour tape"!!
“After the war, it became widely used by civilians, most often to seal ductwork. So much so, that it was renamed as Duct Tape and rebranded in silver to match modern heating and air systems.“
Don’t know about that but their home is in Avon Ohio and the factory is called the “World Headquarters of Duck Tape”.
diclam
Loc: Red Lake Falls, MN
Some companies are making a very poor grade of duct tape that is very thin with poor strength and does not hold up at all for exterior use. I suppose to compete in price with competitors they put out an inferior product. When I want a real good "duct tape" I reach for Gorilla Tape. Their glue is really good too.
Bartulius wrote:
I witnessed plane captains and others cover small holes on jets with duck tape. Jets that landed on the flight deck with battle damage were inspected; if only small holes were found, they were taped. Larger holes were patched.
If done properly the tape lasted through several flights.
It is also known as 100 mile per hour tape when used on aircraft
clint f.
Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa
No self respecting HVAC installer uses the “duct/duck” tape you mention. It will not last. They use an aluminum looking specialty tape for sealing ductwork.
Schoee wrote:
It is also known as 100 mile per hour tape when used on aircraft
It's extensively used in motorsports too & stays put well above 100mph :)
clint f. wrote:
No self respecting HVAC installer uses the “duct/duck” tape you mention. It will not last. They use an aluminum looking specialty tape for sealing ductwork.
That wasn't a thing until decades after the coming of duct/duck tape.
1 roll of duck tape, 1 bottle of crazy glue, 1 Swiss Army knife, 1 can of WD-40, one junk yard + MacGyver = a whole new high tech civilization.
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