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Adhesive tape was first patented in 1848 by Henry Day and, 34 years later, a German pharmacist named Paul Beiersdorf created an adhesive bandage; two early examples of the different uses for adhesive tape. Things changed in the twentieth century, when new advances in adhesive technology saw the development of synthetic materials. Many natural adhesives, including glue made from animal and plant proteins, dextrin pastes, starch pastes, latex pastes, natural rubber, resin and bitumen are still in use today, but synthetic adhesives now dominate the industry.

In 1926, Richard Drew of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (also known as 3M) developed Scotch Tape, possibly the most famous adhesive tape across the world. It was originally created for use in car-painting, to create defining lines between different colours. Earlier, gummed tapes removed paintwork as it was peeled off, so Drew set about inventing a pressure-sensitive tape that would not scar paintwork. Further developments saw him coating cellophane with adhesive and, in 1930, the domestic tape we are all so familiar with, was released.

Since then, the basic principles of adhesive tape have been applied to other uses. Now there are a diverse and assorted range of tapes for different applications, including gaffer tape, pipeline identification tape, plumber’s tape, electrician’s tape and packaging tapes. Tapes can now offer protection against electrical current, temperature and the escape of gas or liquid, as in the case of foam tape, which uses open or closed-cell sponges for protection as well as the bonding together of different surfaces.

However, natural occurrences have provided many inspirations for the advances in industrial tape technology; in 1948, a Swiss engineer named George de Mestral returned from a walk to discover some plant burrs clinging to his jacket. By 1956 he had perfected the notion of using tiny hooks to fasten things together, by creating two strips of nylon fabric – one covered in hooks and the other consisting of thousands of tiny loops. His invention is now used worldwide in a variety of industries and applications. It is strong, lightweight, durable, washable and easily separated and is known as Velcro. Initially, Velcro was used in the fabric industry; sewn onto different materials to provide easy opening and closing. Recently, this has been updated and it can now be bought as an adhesive tape, offering a variety of other uses.

Once the potential of adhesive tape had been recognized, research went in to its durability and strength. Early tape offered little of either, but research and the development of synthetic materials offered more advances. Initially, cloth fibres were used to create Duct tape which was used by the military to repair aircraft, rifles and jeeps. Unlike medical tapes that were being used at the time, Duct tape is waterproof and, after the Second World War, it was used in the housing industry to connect heating and air conditioning ducts together. Industry also saw the potential for adhesive tape and researched its tensile strength. The result was a plastic-based tape that is commonly known as packing tape. As well as being waterproof, it also offered an unprecedented strength that has now made it one of the most versatile tapes in the world.

Directa (UK) Ltd supplies a range of essential Industrial Supplies to many businesses from all sectors. We offer thousands of products, FREE product advice, packaging tape and free delivery. 35 years of fast friendly service. http://www.directa.co.uk/ For interviews, images or comments contact: Alistair Keys, Web Sales Manager, Directa (UK). alistair@directa.co.uk