In the 1940s, the United States military asked Johnson & Johnson to devise “a waterproof, strong cloth based tape that could keep moisture out of ammunition cases,” according to Boston.com. The result was a superhero adhesive tape made from a rubber-based adhesive applied to a durable duck cloth backing. Originally called duck tape, due to its cotton duck substrate, at some point during the last half of the 20th century it became better known as duct tape, owing to its employment in ductwork.
But over the years something else evolved with the product along with its name. It became the absolute darling of the do-it-yourself set — the indispensable item in the tool box, craft room, car trunk, back pack, sports bag and junk drawer, not to mention submarines and NASA spaceships. It’s the sine qua non for emergency hacks and for making do with what you have. And its durability makes it an integral component in extending the usability of broken things, giving them a new lease on life and keeping them out of the rubbish heap. And although to some, duct tape crafts and repairs may scream, “low-rent and tacky,” we’re seeing a shift in the zeitgeist that suggests a new era of duct-tape chic is in the air. So find some inspiration here and get taping.
Fix a leaky boat
Fashion some fisherman sandals
Construct dollhouse furniture
Pimp your ride with flashlight headlights
Craft a pretty posy
Make a crochet hook or knitting needle case
Channel your inner Duct Tape Boy with a fancy costume
Insulate ventilated biking shoes for cold weather
Create a nifty vegan wallet
Repair your smashed windshield for the drive to the auto body shop
Draft an army of homemade toys
Indulge in the ‘ol duct tape necktie trick
Construct a camera bag
Make a set of emergency flip-flops
Make a handbag
Build a collapsible lightbox
Craft a game or gadget pouch
And the most practical use of all, tape a gorilla to a tree…
