HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
How Duct Tape Got Its Name (and Why It Shouldn't Be on Ducts) - Short #264
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Duct tape originated as 'duck tape' during WWII thanks to its strong cotton fabric and waterproof design.
- Marketers rebranded duck tape to 'duct tape' in the 1950s to capitalize on the housing boom.
- Research has shown that duct tape fails to seal ducts effectively due to its adhesive's limitations.
- Cultural representations of duct tape have turned it into a legendary household name despite its inadequacies for HVAC use.
- Always use the right materials like UL-181 foil tape or mastic for duct sealing as per building codes.
Summary
The Origin of Duct Tape
In this short episode, Bryan explores the fascinating history of duct tape, which actually started as a military solution during World War II. Developed by Johnson & Johnson’s Hermosel Division, it was originally called 'duck tape' because of its cotton duck cloth material and waterproof properties. It gained immense popularity for its utility on the battlefield, leading to its widespread use once soldiers returned home after the war.
Rebranding to Duct Tape
In the 1950s during America’s housing boom, marketers saw the potential for duck tape to seal newly installed forced-air heating and cooling systems. They changed the tape’s color to a silver hue to match metal ducts and rebranded it as 'duct tape.' This change marked its entry into the consumer market, but, ironically, the name misled people about its suitability for actual duct sealing.
Duct Tape's Failure on Ducts
Despite its catchy name, duct tape proved to be inadequate for sealing ducts. Studies from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab exposed its failure under real-world conditions, mainly because the rubber adhesives dry out and can't sustain the demands of ductwork. With many building codes now banning duct tape in professional installation, alternatives like UL-listed foil tape and mastic are preferred for duct sealing.
Cultural Impact of Duct Tape
Beyond its functionality, duct tape has become a cultural phenomenon. It has been featured in television, films, and even praised as a versatile fix-all by various popular programs, including Mythbusters. Bryan reflects on its legendary status while cautioning against its misuse in HVAC applications, driving home the importance of using the right materials.
Best Practices for Duct Sealing
In light of the duct tape discussion, the podcast emphasizes adhering to best practices for sealing ducts. Bryan advises listeners to utilize approved materials like UL-181 foil tapes and mastic, reminding them that proper installation is key to maintaining system efficiency and safety.
Sponsors
- Refrigeration Technologies · Viper aerosol coil cleaner for condensers and evaporators. A powerful cleaner with degreasing capability, safe to use with or without rinsing.
- Carrier · High efficiency heat pumps with the new green speed extreme technology.
- Navac · Tools and resources for HVAC technicians at navaclobal.com.
- Field Piece · Offers high-quality product training for HVAC techs with interactive options and additional credit opportunities.
- TrueTechTools · A catalog of over 90 brands, industry experts support, and a discount code available at checkout.
Show notes
In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains how duct tape got its name and why it shouldn't actually be used on ducts. Duct tape is a versatile home DIY-fix tool, but despite its name, it wasn't initially made to seal ducts at all.
In 1943, we were in the thick of World War II, and ammo shipments were sealed with wax and paper tape. These were often not durable or difficult to open. Johnson & Johnson developed a tape with rubber adhesive on a cotton duck cloth backing (which was already widely used for military uniforms and tent fabrics). This new tape was nicknamed "duck" tape due to the material and its waterproof abilities (like the waterfowl). A woman named Vesta Stoudt informed President FDR about duct tape, and the War Production Board began using it in wartime supply packaging.
After the war, America had a housing boom in the 1950s, which included the demand for forced-air heating and cooling systems. Marketers thought the tape could seal the ducts in those homes, so they changed the color to match sheet metal and rebranded it as "duct tape." In the 1960s, this tape was available in retail outlets with the "duct tape" branding.
Unfortunately, in tests by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, duct tape failed miserably at sealing the ducts because the rubber adhesive dries out under heat, and dust weakens the adhesive. As a result, many building codes ban duct tape on ducts (spearheaded by California). Instead, UL-listed foil tape and mastic are approved for sealing ducts. However, duct tape still became famous for its versatility as a patching material. It's prevalent in pop culture and has been used in television shows and even in space.
Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.
Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.
Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.
Follow this show on AudioBrevity and new episodes get summarized for you. Create a free account