| Unlike duct tape, Scotch tape is a variety of adhesive tape on cellophane base and has glue
applied one side of the tape. “Scotch” and “Scotch Tape” brands are
registered trade marks of 3M Corporation.
In 1923, Richard Drew joined as Laboratory technician in Minnesota
Mining and Manufacturing (Now it is called 3M), which engaged in the
production of sandpaper. This company carried out research work in the
field of waterproof surfaces and experimented with cellophane.
Company put Richard Drew on the job of testing new model of sandpaper
“Wetordry” in shops and automobile dealer outlets. One day, in one of
the dealer outlets, Richard Drew noticed that the mechanics could not
get separating lines accurately while painting the automobiles in two
or more colors. Richard requested the painter to come up with an idea.
In 1925, Richard Drew reached outlet with an adhesive tape having
width 5cm. Painter decided to use the trial sample but when he started
painting the second color, he noticed “blisters” formation in glued
tape. On observing the tape closely, painter understood that glue is
applied only along the tape edges so as to cut the production costs.
Painter informed this to inventor.
In 1929, Richard Drew ordered 90 meters of cellophane. During
development stage, he had to encounter and solve many problems for
example: uniform application of glue on tape.
On 8th September 1930, trial tape sample was sent for testing to a
client in Chicago.
Initially, scotch tape was used for packaging wrappers for food and
though during Great Depression years, people soon invented many other
practical uses of the tape. When it came to repairing things, duct tape was considered superior to
other types of tape.
In 1932, John Borden improved the scotch by adding “built-in” blade
for cutting.
In spite of its name, scotch was not invented in Scotland or by any
Scottish.
Initially, the glue was applied only along the tape edges. For this,
the Americans nicknamed adhesive tape as scotch (Scotch – Scottish)
since, legends about Scottish stinginess was prevalent at that time.
Gradually, scotch assortment increased. Various modified varieties of
scotch tape appeared. Besides transparent scotch tape, color variants
of this brand exist. Apart from this, besides standard roll with width
5cm, scotch tape with width 1cm is also used. Even twin-sided scotch
tape was also developed.
Prominent companies and large-scale manufacturers and shop assistants
package their goods using scotch, on which the logotype of firm is
printed. When it comes to fixing things, however, duct tape is still
the king among people. |
There has been an attempted robbery in a Kentucky liquor store by a man wrapped in duct tape to conceal his identity. The so called "duct tape bandit" was stopped and held by the store owner until the police arrived. Ironically, the owner used the baseball bat wrapped in duct tape to stop and catch the burglar.
