First law of the universe: You can never have too much duct tape.

Alessio Sardella "The Guardians of Time and Space"

The Story of Duct Tape

Adhesive tape, (not duct tape), was invented in the 1920's by a team of researchers led by Richard Drew, at the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M) and in its first incarnation was used as a medical tape.

When World War II began, the United States Military was in need of a strong, waterproof packing tape to keep moisture out of ammunition cases.  The Permacel Division of the Johnson & Johnson Company created the tape we know today by improving on the idea of the medical tape. They began to manufacture an easy ripping, waterproof mesh tape made out of cotton duck cloth and with a rubber-based adhesive, which people soon nicknamed "duck tape".  In addition to being used to as a packing tape, this rugged army green adhesive tape was soon being used to mend vehicles, aircraft and other military equipment. 

Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped.

Andy Weir



In the post-war building boom, houses began to be constructed with forced-air heating and air conditioning units that required ductwork and once again "duck tape" was called into service. The color was soon changed from army green to silver, to match the ductwork and people started to refer to it as "duct tape".

During the 1970s Manco, Inc. placed rolls of duct tape in shrink wrap, making it easier for retailers to stack on the shelves. Different grades and colors of duct tape soon followed and duct tape became the most versatile tool in the household, making it, as Red Green calls it,  the handyman's secret weapon.

“Don’t leave home without it”

   101 Uses for Duct Tape 

We’ve found that duct tape is not a perfect solution for anything.
But with a little creativity, in a pinch,
it’s an adequate solution for just about everything.



1) Attach splints to broken limbs.

2) Pick up broken glass.

3) If you cut yourself, put cloth on it and wrap it in duct tape.

4) Cover blisters on feet.

5) Hold together wires after splicing.

6) Emergency repair of broken water hoses on a car.

7) Fix your glasses.

8) Repair/replace cracked or broken car window.

9) Repair furniture.

10) Reattach an exhaust pipe. (use metallic duct tape)

11) To remove a splinter.

12) Emergency belt when your pants slip.

13) Fix the strap on a bike helmet.

14) Seat cover for cars, motorcycles, etc.

15) Reupholster the roof on a convertible.

16) Hold speaker wire to the back of speaker.

17) Hold together old boxes.

18) Hold down ripped carpet.

19) Fix taillight on car.

20) Seal leaky tire/inner tube.

21) Reflective stripes/lettering.

22) Mark lines on a sporting field.

23) Hold down wiring on floor.

24) Hold together computer console.

25) Use for construction when glue is not available.

26) Stop jeans from fraying.

27) Fix broken book binding.

28) Fix shoes.

29) Fly Paper.

30) Tape a feather duster to a broom handle to reach high ceilings.

31) Set up the rigging on a sailboat.

32) Hang a poster or sign.

33) Twist into a long piece into rope.

34) Clothesline when you're in the middle of nowhere. (Peace Corps favorite.)

35) Repair holes in inflatable water toys.

36) Remove hair easily and less painfully.

37) Disk labels.

38) Book mark (when doubled over).

39) Waterproof clothes, shoes, etc.

40) To fix a hole in a baseball mitt.

41) Use for straight lines when painting.

42) Use as a grip on tools when the original one becomes rough.

43) Wrap it sticky-side-out around furniture to keep cat from clawing it.

44) Re-enforce folders.

45) Tape over sharp corners to prevent scratches.

46) Patch a tent.

47) Hold a car battery in. (use metallic duct tape)

48) Secure your table cloth at a picnic.

49) Wrap a soda can or bottle in duct tape to keep it cold.

50) Fix shower curtain.

51) Replace broken shoe laces.

52) Make-your-own bumper stickers.

53) Hem a skirt.

54) Secure metal seams when welder is unavailable.

55) Regrip a golf club.

56) Cover half-finished cans of pop.

57) Replace missing hinges or latches.

58) Hold batteries in TV remote.

59) Secure diaper.

60) Makeshift knee brace.

61) Repair clothing (from the inside!)

62) Seal the bottom of a canoe.

63) Fix holes in your sock.

64) Tape Tupperware containers together to stack them on top of each other.

65) Remove lint from clothes.

66) Streamers for bicycle handlebars.

67) Repair broken screen in screen doors

68) Mouse trap.

69) Tape keys to bottom of car so you never lose them.

70) Use in place of refrigerator magnets.

71) Make flags when drilling pilot holes.

72) Hold car doors closed.

73) Repair broken seat belts.

74) Make your adjustable hat a fitted one.

75) Tape mounting brackets in place.

76) Repair your car doors.

77) Fix torn bags.

78) To keep the wigs on mannequins.

79) Tape things to your desk.

80) Reattach rear view mirror.

81) Make a ball.

82) Labels for items in your home.

83) Make a cooler water-tight.

84) Use as sticky-notes.

85) Keep ends of rope from fraying.

86) Make a wallet.

87) Adhere duct tape, sticky-side-out, for a self-stick bulletin board.

88) Closing potato chip bags.

89) Use small strips to mount Christmas lights.

90) Hold bundles together, in lieu of rubber bands.

91) Fix holes in pockets.

92) Tape ski boot to your ski when the binding breaks.

93) Line gutters to prevent leakage.

94) Attach calendars to wall.

95) Fix vacuum cleaner hose.

96) Attach multiple layers to bottom of door to prevent drafts.

97) Temporary fan belt in a car. (usually not recommended)

98) Hair ties.

99) Repair speaker cones.

100) Decorative book cover.

101) To repair heating ducts??? (Ironically, standard duct tape is not very effective in securing duct work and its use is banned under many local building codes. The constant heating and cooling of the duct work requires that you use metallic duct tape)

    One only needs two tools in life:
WD-40 to make things go,
and duct tape to make them stop.

G Weilacher