There was a time in human history before Duck Tape® existed. It was a time of struggle when tape was clear and weak, and things that broke… stayed broken.
Then came duct tape and civilization has never been the same. Duct tape has adhered itself so well to American culture that it's become much more than a roll of tape. It's an enduring symbol of all in this world that is functional.
So how did this sticky wonder come about? The origins of our beneficial bonder have been the subject of much debate. As with much of American lore, the stories and legends of duct tape have been distorted and, at times, just plain made up. But through countless hours of painstaking research and some intelligent figure fudging, we've developed the most authoritative history to date.
It all started with a cataclysmic explosion. Then in the aftermath, swirling cloud of dust formed stars and planets. But maybe that's starting too far back.
Let's fast forward to World War II. There was a need for
a strong, flexible, durable, waterproof tape that could seal canisters,
repair cracked windows, repair trucks and help the war effort in general.
Permacell, a division of the Johnson and Johnson Company, came to the
rescue. Using medical tape as a base, they applied two new technologies.
Polycoat adhesives gave the tape its unshakable stick and polyethylene
coating allowed them to laminate the tape to a cloth backing, making it
extremely strong and flexible. The resulting tape was nicknamed "Duck
Tape" for its ability to repel water, while ripping easily into strips
for fast convenient use.
After the war the tape was put to the more civilian use of holding ducts together. So the product changed from a nameless army green tape to the familiar gray duct tape.
It was thirty years until the next advancement came. That's when Jack Kahl, former CEO of Manco, Inc., changed the name of the product to Duck Tape and recruited the help of a very talented young duck named Manco T. Duck. Manco T. Duck really embraced the product, lending his likeness to the
Duck Tape logo and giving personality to a commodity product. Manco, Inc. also began to shrink-wrap
and label the product, making it easier to stack for retailers, and easier to distinguish different grades
for customers.
And the latest chapter of Duck Tape history starts now. You've become a member of the prestigiousDuck Tape Club. You'll gain access to members only sections of the website, be invited to help shapeour website content and become a part of all that is Duck Tape. What will happen to Duck Tape? What advancements in Duck Tape technology will be made? What fun will be had in the Duck TapeClub? The answers to those questions and more are now up to you. |
