Other Definitions
duct tape (dict)
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Duct TapeDuct tape is a strong, fabric-based, multi-purpose adhesive tape, usually silver in color and 2" (50mm) wide. It was originally developed during World War II in 1942 as a waterproof sealing tape for ammunition cases. Permacel, then a division of Johnson & Johnson, used a rubber-based adhesive to help the tape resist water and a fabric backing to facilitate ripping. Because of these properties, it was also used to quickly repair military equipment. After the war, the housing industry boomed and people started using duct tape for many other purposes. The name 'duct tape' comes from its use on heating and air conditioning ducts, a purpose for which it, ironically, has been deemed ineffective by the state of California and by building codes in most other places in the U.S. (which means professionals are restricted from using it in systems they install, but do-it-yourselfers are not). However metallized and aluminum tapes used by professionals are still often called "duct tapes". Duct tape is sometimes referred to as duck tape, possibly because it was made of cotton duck fabric, possibly for its ability to repel moisture like "water off a duck's back", and certainly partly for the fact that the pronunciations are hard to distinguish in most dialects of spoken English. "Duck Tape" is now a registered trademark of Duck Products. A rumour (circulated widely after a 2003 terrorism scare, when the US population was advised to buy duct tape) that "duck tape" is the original name has not been substantiated. A medical study announced on major news networks on October 15, 2002, stated that application of duct tape can be used as an effective treatment for warts. Duck Products annually sponsors a competition that offers a college scholarship to the most stylish prom formalwear made from duct tape. The number of uses to which duct tape can be put is a source of humor (many of these are collected in books by "The Duct Tape Guys"*). Some people enjoy making novelty items out of duct tape or decorating objects with it. Increased interest in creating these novelty and fashion pieces (such as duct tape prom dresses and handbags)has given rise to designer duct tape handbags, wallets, belts and related items. Crafters quickly realized the art, difficulty and time involved in creating the quality pieces they wanted and so began looking for already-made duct tape fashions. Love My Bag, LLC, which is known for retailing major name-brand designers such as Prada and Fendi, began retailing the designer Vanessa Jean in an exclusive line of duct tape handbags. The epigram "duct tape is like the Force – it has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together" has been attributed to science fiction fan Carl Zwanzig. Red Green of The Red Green Show refers to duct tape as "the handyman's secret weapon". MacGyver was also famous for his inventive use of duct tape. - The Duct Tape Guys (Jim Berg and Tim Nyberg) have written seven books about Duct Tape (to date 2005). their bestselling books have sold over 1.5 million copies and feature real and wacky uses of duct tape. In 1994 they coined the phrase, "It Ain't Broke, It Just Lacks Duct Tape." Added to that phrase in 1995 with the publication of their WD-40 Book was, "Two rules get you through life: If it's stuck and it's not supposed to be, WD-40 it. If it's not stuck and it's supposed to be, duct tape it." Their site features thousands of duct tape uses from people around the world from fashions to auto repair (and yes, wart removal). http://www.ducttapeguys.com
Other names for duct tape (including the Danish, "Jesus Tape") have been documented at length by The Duct Tape Guys at http://www.ducttapeguys.com/duckvsduct.html See also External links
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