The Many Uses of Duct Tape (1)

by Nicole Humphrey | More from this Blogger

02 Aug 2006 09:19 AM

What more versatile product is there in this world? Duct tape has so many common household uses, and even some not so common uses.

Duct tape, which was originally known as duck tape, is a strong, fabric-based, multi-purpose adhesive tape. The best of the best. It is usually silver, and eventually black was available, until more recently. Now there are loads of colors, patterns and EVEN transparent duct tape!

This versatile tape was originally developed during World War in 1942 under the name "Duck Tape" as a waterproof sealing tape for ammunition cases.

Because the duct tape was a rubber-based adhesive, and helped resist water, as well as having a fabric backing to make it easier to remove, it was also used to repair military equipment, including jeeps, guns, and aircraft.

The name "duct tape" came from its eventual use in the home on heating and air conditioning ducts.

Duct tape has been around a long time, and because of that, people everywhere have discovered uses for duct tape that were not originally planned for. Once upon a time, duct tape was a grey colored tape with an extremely strong hold that was commonly used for adhering wires and other items that needed a secure hold, but that usually popped free of other types of tape.

But modern day duct tape is much different than it's original counterpart. In fact, now you can find it in fluorescent colors as well as blue, green, yellow, black and red, several different patterns and the newest - transparent! The new colors allow for a more diverse use.

While doing research for this article, to confirm my already growing list of ways to use duct tape, I came across this website, Duct Tape Fashions. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard. This website is full to the brim of products you can purchase made of, what else? Yes, that's right - duct tape.

Everything from wallets, to purses, hats, backpacks and belts. They also sell duct tape in various colors and styles. Including camouflage duct tape and safety striped duct tape. What will they think of next? This had to be the most amusing website I've ever found on my research for frugal living!

I also found an article on CNN about a young girl who used duct tape to cover the sponsors name on her softball uniform. You can read the story here.

People everywhere have discovered the uses of duct tape and in our frugal world, more of us need to!

For dozens of uses for duct tape, please see this article: The Many Uses of Duct Tape (2)

Learn more about Nicole Humphrey

Nicole Humphrey is a freelance writer, consultant for CTMH and a Sr. Blogger for families.com. She resides in St. Charles, Missouri with Mike and their five children and two furbabies.

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