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| | ==History== | | ==History== |
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| − | Duct tape was invented around 1942 by the Permacell division of Johnson & Johnson <ref>http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/ducttape.htm</ref>. It was developed from fabric medical tapes for soldiers serving in the Pacific theater of [[World War II]], to keep their ammunition cases dry. The new tape utilised two technologies: polycoat adhesives which gave the tape its strong stick, and a laminated polyethylene coating to make it waterproof<ref>http://www.ducktapeclub.com/university/history.asp</ref>. | + | Duct tape was invented around 1942 by the Permacell division of Johnson & Johnson.<ref>http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/ducttape.htm</ref> It was developed from fabric medical tapes for soldiers serving in the Pacific theater of [[World War II]], to keep their ammunition cases dry. The new tape utilised two technologies: polycoat adhesives which gave the tape its strong stick, and a laminated polyethylene coating to make it waterproof.<ref>http://www.ducktapeclub.com/university/history.asp</ref> |
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| | The resulting tape was strong and flexible and was nicknamed "Duck Tape" for its ability to repel water (like water off a duck's back). However other sources claim that the name derives from the "cotton duck" fabric from which it was made. It proved very popular with the troops as it ripped easily into strips for fast convenient use and was adopted for many other on-the-spot repair jobs when improvisation was a necessity. | | The resulting tape was strong and flexible and was nicknamed "Duck Tape" for its ability to repel water (like water off a duck's back). However other sources claim that the name derives from the "cotton duck" fabric from which it was made. It proved very popular with the troops as it ripped easily into strips for fast convenient use and was adopted for many other on-the-spot repair jobs when improvisation was a necessity. |
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| − | During the post-war building boom the tape was used to seal heating and air-conditioning ducts and obtained its silver color to make it less conspicuous. The name then transmogrified into "duct tape"<ref>In the TV sitcom "Home Improvement", the lead character, Tim Taylor. often corrects his wife for calling it "duck tape" and emphasises the use of the glottal stop to pronounce it "duct"-"tape". However, in reality she is probably justified in her usage.</ref>. | + | During the post-war building boom the tape was used to seal heating and air-conditioning ducts and obtained its silver color to make it less conspicuous. The name then transmogrified into "duct tape".<ref>In the TV sitcom "Home Improvement", the lead character, Tim Taylor. often corrects his wife for calling it "duck tape" and emphasises the use of the glottal stop to pronounce it "duct"-"tape". However, in reality she is probably justified in her usage.</ref> |
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| | ==Modern tape== | | ==Modern tape== |
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| | ==Uses== | | ==Uses== |
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| − | The uses of duct tape are only limited by human imagination. A matt black version is widely used in the entertainment industry for rigging lighting and stage sets where it is known as "gaffer" tape. It was used by the almost-doomed Apollo 13 astronauts to make repairs and safely return to earth, while during the Apollo 17 mission it was used to repair the lunar rover’s fenders<ref>http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040417.html Astronomy picture of the day: April 17, 2004</ref>. It is [[NASA]] policy to have a roll on every space shuttle mission and even outlines its use for restraining mentally unstable astronauts<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254138,00.html Fox News: NASA Trains Astronauts to Bind, Tranquilize Unstable Crewmates</ref>. | + | The uses of duct tape are only limited by human imagination. A matt black version is widely used in the entertainment industry for rigging lighting and stage sets where it is known as "gaffer" tape. It was used by the almost-doomed Apollo 13 astronauts to make repairs and safely return to earth, while during the Apollo 17 mission it was used to repair the lunar rover’s fenders.<ref>http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040417.html Astronomy picture of the day: April 17, 2004</ref> It is [[NASA]] policy to have a roll on every space shuttle mission and even outlines its use for restraining mentally unstable astronauts.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254138,00.html Fox News: NASA Trains Astronauts to Bind, Tranquilize Unstable Crewmates</ref> |
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| − | Other uses<ref>http://www.3m.com/intl/CA/english/centres/home_leisure/duct_tape/sc_area.html</ref>: | + | Other uses:<ref>http://www.3m.com/intl/CA/english/centres/home_leisure/duct_tape/sc_area.html</ref> |
| | *On windows to keep the glass from shattering during hurricanes | | *On windows to keep the glass from shattering during hurricanes |
| | *Replace worn webbing on lawn furniture with regular or coloured duct tape | | *Replace worn webbing on lawn furniture with regular or coloured duct tape |