[Wade67]

The history of duck tape.
Quoted: "Adhesive tape (specifically masking tape) was invented in the 1920's by Richard Drew of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Co. (3M). Duct tape (the WWII military version) was first created and manufactured in 1942 (approximate date) by the Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division. Its closest predecessor was medical tape.
The original use was to keep moisture out of the ammunition cases. Because it was waterproof, people referred to the tape as "Duck Tape." Also, the tape was made using cotton duck - similar to what was used in their cloth medical tapes. Military personnel quickly discovered that the tape was very versatile and used it to fix their guns, jeeps, aircraft, etc. After the war, the tape was used in the booming housing industry to connect heating and air conditioning duct work together.
Soon, the color was changed from Army green to silver to match the ductwork and people started to refer to duck tape as "Duct Tape." Things changed during the 1970s, when the partners at Manco, Inc. placed rolls of duct tape in shrink wrap, making it easier for retailers to stack the sticky rolls. Different grades and colors of duct tape weren´t far behind. Soon, duct tape became the most versatile tool in the household."

-I've always been corrected that it's "duct tape" not "duck tape", well I guess they were wrong. Still not a bad solution for long term storage of ammo.

W67

 

[mustang69]

If not for Duck Tape there would be no NASCAR!

 

[milprileb]

In green, its called 100 MPH Tape in the Army.

 

[jonny c.]

Thank you!

 

[DocAV]

One offshoot from the A rmy "Duct" Tape ( or ammo packet tape, or electrical tape ( as made in the pre WW II period, in tarry black colour on a cloth base) was its use in the Movie Industry, for taping together electrical cables, etc,etc...where it became "Gaffer Tape" ( the "Gaffer" was the crewman who handled the long booms or "Gaffs" for sound equipment on sets). Here in Australia, "Duct Tape" is the grey, stretchy plastic tape ( 2 inches/50mm) wide) whilst "Gaffer tape" or simply "Gaff") is the Black, clothbased, "rippable" tape used by Movie crews, Stage crews, etc. in Big rolls (6-8 inch.diameter) which can be hung from a utility belt. ( the Grey, Plastic "Duct" Tape is not rippable, either cross ways or lengthways, but must be cut).
Also, Duct tape adhesive will rip off paint finish when removed...Gaffer tape rarely does affect the underneath finish.

AS to its ammo use, 1 inch (Black) tape was used to strengthen British Ammo packets destined for the tropics. Australia used it so up to the late 1940s ( two wraps, around the middle and over top and bottom).

Regards,
Doc AV

 

[Ronbo6]

AS to its ammo use, 1 inch (Black) tape was used to strengthen British Ammo packets destined for the tropics. Australia used it so up to the late 1940s ( two wraps, around the middle and over top and bottom).

Thanks for the info. I ALWAYS wondered how and why that 'aftermarket-looking' stuff got on the ammo packages I was buying. I saw it rarely enough that I didn't link it to 'official' use for anything.

 

[mr44]

i remember we had a roll of the green stuff when i was a kid