I am absolutely sure that I read something about the fact it originally had been duck tape as it was waterproof, but now everyone says duct tape.
However, I can't find a darned thing about that on any of my daily sites, so I may have dreamt it.
Huh.
Y'know, I always thought it was called duct tape because they use it on various ducting (ie air con and heating systems). Duck tape just makes me think it should have feathers and go "quack".
I've been at this all day. I've been waiting for someone to clarify the duck/duct tape thing. Maybe they're different products in different countries. I think even electricians use duct tape here?
Okay, I'm pretty sure of what I THINK it is. But just to be safe, I sent an e-mail to 3M. The response said "within 24-48 hours".
And if your electrician uses duct tape for wiring, fire him on the spot before he burns whatever he is working on down. It is not a good electrical insulator, esecially once it starts to dry out.
3M makes the original duct tape. Or so they say, and no other company disputes them. But, I also know that there is a BRAND called "Duck Tape".
So, in summation, within two days we should have the official answer from the company that makes it.
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 once watched a Duck Tape. The feathers where flying. Like they were on Quack. I think I saw it on the World-Wide Webfoot. Whoops, there's my Duckphone: "Wing...wing.."
