Endowment wrapping became practicable with the invention of adhesive tape.
There are some inventions that are taken for granted in today's world. Somehow, people feel these items have always been around and will always be at hand when needed. One such invention is adhesive tape. What would holiday shoppers do without tape to adhere colorfully wrapped paper to the presents? How would birthday presents be kept a surprise? These uses and many more were made possible by the invention of adhesive tape.
Adhesive Tape at Work
Hockey sticks are taped for better puck handling.
Adhesive tape has evolved into many forms with multiple uses. A paint job would be far more difficult without the protective covering of masking tape around windows or in securing a crisp edge on a wall. Hockey players could not make accurate passes or produce effective slapshots without the tape wrapped around the blade of their sticks. Electricans would suffer far more jolts without the insulating properties of electrical tape. Manufacturers need tape to secure products for shipping. During World War II, more than 100 different tapes were developed to seal, identify parts, hold materials, protect and insulate. Double-sided tape with adhesive on both sides was developed during wartime as well. After the war, adhesive tape was marketed to schools, homes and businesses.
Innovation Continues
Cellophane tape made almost seamless repairs possible.
The first masking tape was a simple glue applied to a ribbon of paper by innovator Richard Drew in the early 1920s. By 1930 Drew was working as an engineer for the 3M Company. A St. Paul, Minn. insulation company needed help to produce a waterproof covering for the insulation batts of railroad refrigerator cars. Dupont had created a new product called cellophane. Drew decided to combine cellophane with an adhesive and use it as a sealing tape for the insulation material. It took over a year to solve adhesion and strength problems resulting from the pairing of adhesive with cellophane. On September 8, 1930 the first roll of cellophane tape was sent to a customer. The tape was a welcome addition during the Great Depression when Americans sought to repair items that they could not afford to replace.
Adhesive Tape's Evolution
In 1932, the first countertop tape dispenser was introduced. It was made of cast iron and weighed close to 7 lbs. By 1939-1940, a hand-held tape dispenser made from stamped sheet metal and then molded plastic arrived. Plumbers use a stretchy waterproof tape to ensure a tight, waterproof seal around plumbing fixtures. The list is seemingly endless.
Adhesive Tape's Beginnings
In 1961, a clear adhesive tape with a matte finish made it possible to write on the tape with pen, pencil or marker. The advantage of the matte finish over the former glossy tape was that it appeared almost invisible on light-colored paper and envelopes. By 1984, a removable adhesive tape was invented which held fast but allowed for easy removal and repositioning. This was a boon to papercrafters. By 1996, a double-sided removable tape became available as well.
Interesting Tape Facts
The total amount of transparent tape sold to homes and offices in the United States each year would go around the earth 165 times. The first mass use of transparent tape was as a moisture-proof seal for cellophane wrap used by grocers, bakers and meat packers. Today there are more than 400 varieties of tape sold and used for a myriad of purposes.
