National Cellophane Tape Day is observed annually on May 27 to honour the invention of one of the most useful items ever, namely cellophane tape. Cellophane tape is utilised for something that is vital to the modern world: bringing objects together.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CELLOPHANE TAPE DAY
National Cellophane Tape Day is observed annually on May 27 to recognise the significant impact that cellophane tape has had on our lives. Possibly the most popular stationery item, its absence would have made our lives considerably more difficult. Thanks to cellophane tape, we are able to package presents, create crafts for class assignments and projects, etc. National Cellophane Tape Day exists because something so beneficial merits a day of its own.
Richard Gurley Drew is attributed with the invention of cellophane tape. He began his career in 1920 at the St. Paul, Minnesota-based 3M company. In 1925, Drew invented masking tape for automobiles on this site. However, in 1929 he came up with the idea of using the newly-developed cellophane to create tape. Cellophane is a moisture-resistant material that was utilised to wrap groceries and baked products. Drew desired to develop a cellophane tape that would simultaneously secure packaging and blend in without being visible.
Scotch Cellulose Tape was the original term for cellophane tape. It was subsequently renamed Scotch Transparent Tape. A body-shop painter, while testing the tape, yelled in frustration, “Take this tape back to those Scotch bosses of yours and tell them to put more adhesive on it!” Hence the name “Scotch.”
On January 31, 1930, cellophane tape was introduced to the public and its marketing began. On May 27 of the same year, it was patented. Therefore, this date has been designated as National Cellophane Tape Day.
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5 FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT TAPE
X-Ray tape
In 1953, Soviet scientists discovered that cellophane tape generates X-rays when placed in a vacuum and peeled off.
American cassette
More than 90% of American households and enterprises use masking tape for a variety of purposes.
Not only a few distinct categories
Today, more than 400 varieties of tape are manufactured, including packaging tape, electrical tape, transparent tape, and labelling tape.
Scotch tape
During World War II, soldiers referred to duct tape as “duck tape” due to the tape’s ability to repel moisture like “water off a duck’s back.”
Tape for embryos
Occasionally, ornithologists used Scotch tape to cover the cracks that developed in the soft casings of fertilised pigeon eggs, allowing them to hatch.
