Duct tape, this versatile roll of grey wonder has patched countless leaky pipes, secured wobbly furniture and served as a temporary solution for a multitude of problems. But have you ever stopped to wonder about its origins? It is worth a look, because duct tape has a surprisingly rich history, evolving from a wartime necessity to a household staple.
The year is 1942 and as World War II rages on, the United States is deeply involved in the fight. Vesta Stoudt, a factory worker at the Green River Ordnance Plant in Illinois, witnesses firsthand the challenges faced by soldiers on the battlefield. Ammunition boxes, crucial for delivering firepower, were often made of cardboard and susceptible to moisture damage. This could lead to malfunctions which could ultimately jeopardise missions.
Stoudt, a resourceful and patriotic woman, observed how cloth duct, a common material used in heating and ventilation systems, repelled water. Inspired by this observation, she wrote a letter directly to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, proposing a water-resistant adhesive tape to seal ammunition boxes and protect them from the elements.
Stoudt's ingenuity resonated with the War Production Board. They contacted Johnson & Johnson, a leading manufacturer of medical supplies, to develop a solution based on Stoudt's idea. The result? A waterproof cloth tape with a strong adhesive backing, initially dubbed "duck tape" due to its water-repellent properties, similar to a duck's feathers. Click the link to read more:
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