Does anyone know how 'Ducktape' got its name?

Answer 1

If you check the Wikipedia article (in the section "Etymology") you'll see that no one knows for sure why it got its name, but it might have been called "duck tape" by WWII soldiers because it was made from cotton duck just like their tents. And venetian blinds used to be made with cotton duck tape, so the name might have been carried over.

Other people say that this earlier nonstick "duck tape" is a coincidence and the sticky tape got its name "duct tape" later on when it started being used in the heating and air-conditioning industry.

Answer 2

The correct answer is here above. There is a company that makes Duct tape and it is called DUCKtape because that's the name of the company, it even has little yellow ducks on the inside of the ring. Duct tape was originally used for Military purposes in WWII.

Answer 3

I was lured in by the grey/gray comment.

The item was originally nick-named Duck Tape. It was waterproof and had a duckcloth base. It was *not* for high temperature applications.

A similar product for high temperature applications, heating/air-conditioning ductwork, etc. was developed later. That's actually "duct tape". That can also be used for the duck tape applications.

One company had the *wit* to "trademark" the name "Duck Tape". Good for 'em! So we have use of the nickname and the registration of the trademark.

Now, back to grey and gray. Me, I was taught that "grey" is a mixture of different *colors* to make shade between black and white. I was taught that "gray" is a mixture of black and white to make an intermediate shade. Such is from a painter's perspective, rather than USA vs. England.

I recently used Duck Tape [TM] for a quick repair on a convertible top ... in summer heat it pealed loose *within* the hour. I re-applied "duct tape" and it held until I got home again (top's properly replaced now :-).

Answer 4

Duct tape (the WWII military version) was first created and manufactured in 1942 (approximate date) by the Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division. Its closest predecessor was medical tape.
The original use was to keep moisture out of the ammunition cases. Because it was waterproof, people referred to the tape as "Duck Tape." Also, the tape was made using cotton duck - similar to what was used in their cloth medical tapes. Military personnel quickly discovered that the tape was very versatile and used it to fix their guns, jeeps, aircraft, etc. After the war, the tape was used in the booming housing industry to connect heating and air conditioning duct work together.
Soon, the color was changed from Army green to silver to match the ductwork and people started to refer to duck tape as "Duct Tape."

Answer 5

It's "duct" tape, as others have pointed out, and it is called that because it is used to seal the connections on heating and cooling ducts. That's why it's gray - because sheet metal ducting is gray.

It was not developed for that - it was originally invented for use by the military in WWII. But it's named for the peacetime use it found in the postwar housing construction boom.

And there is no "Duct" company involved. :)

Answer 6

It is duct, but not from a company by that name. It was for taping the joints between pieces of ductwork. Ironically, today's duct tape wouldn't even be appropriate for ductwork anymore. But it works on everything else!

I think someone named it "duck" tape because it repels water.
.

Answer 7

It's duct tape and was used for securing aluminumduct work

Answer 8

its not ducktape its duct tape as in the company Duct

Answer 9

its actually called duct tape duct is the manufacturer

Answer 10

and by the way there is no such colour as gray in the UK we call it grey over here