I don’t have a cite, but I read a few months ago that duct tape was originally called “duck” tape. This was because soldiers in the field in WWII needed something water resistant for binding things together very quickly. The tape was allegedly made for this specific purpose, and being water resistant, repelled water like a duck’s feathers in soggy conditions. The soldiers deemed it “duck” tape, which is slang we still use today.
After the war, the tape was found to be useful for other things, namely taping duct work seams. The tape then became more known as “duct” tape.
Thanks RealityChuck. While the story in my OP is close to the truth, I guess it is a UL. However, since the Manco trademark name is Duck Tape, I guess it can go by either the “duck” or “duct” name.
It may also be one of the instances of a trade name becoming “generic” e.g. Frisbee, Xerox, etc.
Check this site for an explanation that matches what you heard. I’ll leave it to you to judge whether guys selling “Duck Brand Duct Tape” are authoritative references. Oddly, I did not see this same information on their own site, http://www.ducktapeclub.com/ But they do have a Flash “History” section that’s good for a chuckle. I was afraid to look at the “Prom Contest,” though. If they had a prom dress of duct tape, it’d probably give me nightmares…
“Duct tape was developed during World War II to meet the need for a repair tape that was durable, waterproof and strong. After the war, the nameless, military green tape came to the United States and was used to hold together duct work.”
At the Naval Air Station where I worked (1980 - 1992), we called the ‘nameless, military green tape’ “Ordnance Tape”. Although I am not sure, it is probably because it was used on everything except ordnance.
Ah yes, 500mph tape. Good stuff for strapping down fusing wires or hogtying a surly shellback on equator day. A victim tied with ordnance tape will not get loose on his own I can assure you. We never loaded bombs on F-14s in my day so never used it for it’s intended purpose.
I read that it was originally invented as a heavy-duty medical adhesive tape, and was white. When it was found after WWII that it was very suitable for use with sheet metal ducts, it was made in silver/gray and called duct tape.
As it’s a bit of a challenge to enunciate “duct tape” clearly in the ordinary flow of conversation, speakers naturally end up saying “duck tape.”
In my experience so far in the Army, it’s just been “Hundred Mile an hour tape.” We haven’t bumped it to 500 yet. At least, I haven’t heard anyone use that.
