1942

The iconic tape was invented by an Illinois mom named Vesta Stoudt who wanted to save soldiers’ lives in World War II. The year was 1943 and Stoudt, who had two sons serving in the U.S. Navy, was working at the Green River Ordnance Plant near Amboy, Illinois.

Duct tape was originally designed during World War II to keep ammunition boxes closed with a waterproof seal, but can be easily opened. The previous tape was waterproof, but the pull tab was easily broken.

It was commonly used in construction to wrap air ducts. Following this application, the name “duct tape” came into use in the 1950s, along with tape products that were colored silvery gray like tin ductwork. Specialized heat- and cold-resistant tapes were developed for heating and air-conditioning ducts. By 1960 a St.

Vesta Oral Stoudt (April 13, 1891 – May 9, 1966) was the woman who had the seminal idea for duct tape. Stoudt worked at the Green River Ordnance Plant in Dixon, Illinois packing ammunition boxes. Her idea was to seal boxes with a waterproof, tearable cloth tape which she created and tested at her job.

FiberFix

If you’re more concerned about duct tape doing the job than looking pretty, Black Gorilla Tape offers the highest level of toughness. Clear tape typically isn’t as durable or strong as colored duct tape, but the Gorilla Crystal Clear Tape is the toughest type of transparent tape you can buy.

The T-Rex tears easier than Gorilla, but that’s about the only category where it gets the edge. In every strength test, Gorilla was stronger. In our tests, it proved itself to be nearly as strong as Gorilla, but with the added handling of a 13-mil tape.

Crystal Clear Gorilla Tape can be applied to wet surfaces and also works under water.

• BEST OVERALL: Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape 4″ x 10′ Black.
• BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Trazon Grip Tape – Heavy Duty Anti Slip Tape.
• BEST FOR LEAKING PIPES: Flex Tape Rubberized Waterproof Tape, 4″ x 5′
• BEST FOR OUTDOORS: 360Tronics Butyl Waterproof Tape 2″W X 16.4’L.