From Sap to Scotch: The Journey of Adhesive Tapes
Though we use tapes daily, it has a long history before it came to our hands to glue anything practically. Today, we use tape for small projects as well as commercial purposes. Tapes are so commonly used in the modern age that they are only noticeable once we do not have them. Anything that we want to stick together or fix, the first thing that comes to our minds is tapes. There are various kinds of tapes used for different purposes. Let's dive into the History of Tapes to understand more about tapes.
History of Tapes
4000 B.C: Earthenware pots were mended with an adhesive substance made from tree sap.
2000 B.C: Earliest written records of adhesives describe simple instructions for preparing fish glue.
1500-1000 B.C: Egyptians utilize glues made from animal by-products. They used adhesives extensively in woodworking, particularly in furniture making and in the construction of tombs. Greeks and Romans later develop adhesives from egg whites, animal-based glues for woodworking and artistic applications, blood, and other natural materials.
Chinese Adhesives (618-906 A.D.): In China, adhesives were made from fish, ox, and stag horns.
First Adhesive Patent (1750): The first adhesive patent was issued in Britain for a fish-based glue, leading to the opening of the first commercial glue plant in Holland.
Invention of Surgical Tape by Dr. Horace Day (1845): Dr. Horace Day invents the first tape made from cotton for medical use, primarily for bandaging.
Paper-based Adhesive Tape by Richard Wolffenstein (1845): Richard Wolffenstein invents a paper-based adhesive tape using gelatin, laying the foundation for modern adhesive tapes.
Cellulose-based Tape (1890s): The first cellulose-based tape is developed from nitrocellulose, offering improved adhesion for sealing envelopes and other paper products.
Invention of the Band-Aid by Earle Dickson (1921): Earle Dickson, an employee at Johnson & Johnson, creates the Band-Aid to keep dressings on small wounds.
Pressure-sensitive Tape by Richard Drew (1925): Richard Drew invents pressure-sensitive tape at 3M, combining rubber with adhesive for a stronger, more versatile product.
Masking Tape (1930): Richard Drew develops masking tape for painters to achieve clean lines without damaging surfaces.
Cellophane Tape (1935): Richard Drew invents Scotch tape, the first transparent adhesive tape for general use.
Duct Tape Development by Johnson & Johnson (1942): Duct tape was invented during World War II as a waterproof sealing tape for military equipment and repairs.
Filament Tape (1946): Cyrus W. Bemmels patents filament tape, reinforced with fiberglass filaments for extra strength.
Velcro Tape (1970s): The introduction of Velcro offers a reusable fastening system, consisting of hook and loop components.
Double-sided Tape (1980s): Double-sided tape becomes popular, with adhesive on both sides for attaching two surfaces.
Foam Tapes (1990s): Foam tapes emerge for insulation, sealing, and gasketing purposes, with single or double-sided adhesive coatings.
Nano-tape (2000s): Nano-tape, using nanotechnology for strong, residue-free adhesion, finds applications in both consumer and industrial markets.
This timeline encapsulates the evolution of adhesive products from ancient times to the modern era, demonstrating the innovative spirit and technological advancements that have shaped the way we use adhesives today.
To know more about Different Types of Tapes used today, please visit…. Role of Adhesive Tapes in Packaging
