ChronoFive
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Setting the scene
World War II factories needed a strong, waterproof tape to seal ammunition cases; Johnson & Johnson's Permacel division developed a cloth-backed adhesive for the U.S. military.
What happened
Duct tape was developed around 1942 for military sealing and repair; soldiers called it "duck tape" for its water-resistant cotton duck fabric backing.
Why it still matters
Silver rolls became a postwar household staple for repairs, crafts, and Apollo-era emergency fixes in space. Memorable detail: NASA folklore credits duct tape with helping save Apollo 13's crew by improvising a carbon-dioxide filter fix.
Background
Silver household rolls followed postwar.