When cases of ammunition were ruined by rain and humidity, the U.S. government asked their supplier if they would give them something they could use to protect their provisions. The supplier sent them a green waterproof tape that the army nick named "Duck Tape" because water rolled off of it as easily as water off a duck's back. The military found countless uses for the tape while stationed overseas and new uses mounted once they returned home.
It seems the most popular use for the tape after the war was for sealing ducts in homes which prompted a few changes. The color changed from green to silver and it's name changed from Duck Tape to Duct Tape. Through the decades duct tape has remained popular because it seems there is no a job that duct tape can't handle.
The best use for duct tape I have come across is for getting rid of Plantar Warts. Before going to bed each night simply wrap the tape around your feet making sure all warts are securely covered. They should disappear within 4 to 6 weeks. The reason this procedure works so well is, the duct tape is air tight and it cuts off oxygen to the warts causing them to die.
Other things duct tape is used for are:
- Patching water pipes.
- Patch a holes in the pool.
- Used as weather stripping around doors and windows.
- To tape an alligator's mouth closed.
- As temporary patch for a car body.
- To hold the bumper on a car.
- To tape over the mouth of the office gossip.
- As a patch for mufflers and tail pipes.
- To mend a broken shovel handle.
- Use in an emergency to hem pants, a skirt or a dress.
- To repair a vacuum cleaner hose.
- For book binding.
- To repair a car tail light.
- To stop a leak in the garden hose.
- To repair a tear in a tent.
- For a bandage when you don't have a real one handy.
- Use as a patch on clothing.
- To keep rubber boots from leaking.
- Repair holes in inflatable water toys.
- To tape an annoying person to the wall.
- To remove lint from clothing.
- Reupholster furniture.
- Wrap Christmas presents... they'll never get them open.
- Fly catcher. Just hang from ceiling in the cottage.
- Tape warranties to the back or underside of new appliances.
- Fix holes in the wings of airplanes.
- Replace webbing in lawn chairs.
- Use in place of wax for removing unwanted hair.
- Patch holes in the toes of ballet shoes.
- If you are out riding and your horse's shoe becomes loose, secure it with duct tape until you return home.
- To repair dentures.
- Use strips of duct tape on the back of jig saw puzzles to keep them from falling apart.
- To remove a splinter.
- Toilet paper.
- Temporary fix for a broken water hose under the hood.
And the list goes on and on...
Now that we can get duct tape in bright colors people are coming up with more ideas than ever before like; making purses, wallets, clothing, hats and just about anything you can think of. It seems that anything you can imagine can be done with duct tape.
