Scotch® Duct Tape, what is it used for? The birth of duct tape occurred during the Second World War in response to a need for for a waterproof mending material that could be torn by hand to keep moisture out of ammunition boxes. This strong mesh tape with a waterproof coating was found to be useful for a variety of purposes including patch and repair for virtually anything imaginable. These Scotch® Duct Tapes hold millions of things together all over the world and the innovative thinking that helped 3M diversify in 1925 has become part of the company’s culture. In the 1950’s the tape became known as duct tape when its official use was to secure ductwork for forced air furnaces. Unofficially, uses for duct tape continue to grow. Check out some of the uses of Scotch® Duct Tape that we came across.

• An Edmonton man duct taped his entire car

• Apollo 13 astronauts used it for repairs and the Apollo 17 astronauts to keep dust off the lunar rover’s fenders; it is now policy to have a roll on every space shuttle mission

• Used on windows in Florida and Texas to keep the glass from shattering during hurricanes

• Replace worn webbing on lawn furniture with regular or coloured duct tape

• Patch a leaky canoe until you get back to the shore

• Wrap pieces around your fingers to protect your skin when working with interlocking brick or stone

• Make fashion statements: wallet, purse, belt, tie, hat, umbrella with a matching raincoat

• Repair the spine of books

• temporarily seal leaky rad hoses in your car until you can get to a mechanic

• Patch leaky eavestroughs until you can get them replaced

• Skip the body filler, use duct tape

• Secure wires as gaffer’s tape

• Bundle items for storage

• Secure items for transportation home from your local building centre

• Tape down plastic sheets to protect construction materials from the weather

Ask Red Green, who uses it instead of nuts, bolts, glue, staples, and propane torch and solder says, " Spare the duct tape, spoil the job". Each user should determine the suitability of the tape for the intended use.