Duct tape was originally created and distributed by the Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division around 1942. Back then it was called Duck Tape due to its water proof nature. It was used primarily by the military in order to keep ammunition cases clean and dry, but it did not take long for the soldiers to begin using the tape to make quick repairs on a variety of equipment.

Following the war, the tape was used for civilian purposes, most commonly for air vents and duct work in homes and businesses. This led to the product being referred to as duct tape, and it wasn't long before the tape was being used as a household adhesive product.

Today the tape is utilized for a plethora of reasons. Some of the more creative uses of duct tape include:

1. Taping the back of a finished jigsaw puzzle with duct tape to hold it together;

2. First aid, when no other supplies are available;

3. Sealing food items such as chip bags and cereal boxes with duct tape products;

4. Taping up knives and other blades before throwing them away.

Action Steps

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Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Duct tape can be used on almost any surface. Experiment with it to see how many practical uses you can discover.
• Purchase heavy duty duct tape that will stand up to any environment, such as high winds, rain or direct sunlight.