Introduction World’s Toughest Tape What can patch a spacecraft but tear to pieces with your fingers What is superstrong and waterproof It’s extra sticky and has all kinds of uses It’s duct tape This sticky stuff was first known as duck tape The tape got its name because it was fantastic at repelling water just like a duck’s feathers During World War II 1939 1945 soldiers used the tape to repair military vehicles Word spread about this terrific tape Soon it was stocked in hardware stores and homes across the United States 4
People began using duck tape for tons of tasks One important duck-tape job was connecting air ducts The tape was just as strong as the screws and bolts usually used to hold air ducts together Binding these big silver tubes became such a common use that the tape was renamed duct tape Did you know duct tape has also been used to make survival gear People have made tents tarps stretchers and even splints and casts out of the supersticky tape What if you were stranded in the wilderness with just a roll of duct tape What items could you craft to help you survive Turn the page and find out how to rip stick and attach your very own duct tape survival gear 5
Before You Get Started Sticky Supply Part of what makes duct tape such a super supply is how sticky it is But this can also make crafting with duct tape tricky Every strip counts Work slowly and carefully to avoid accidentally getting pieces stuck together Be aware that duct tape may be hard to remove from certain surfaces It may also leave a sticky residue behind 6
Wilderness Workspace A clean workspace is important any time you craft and construct This is also true when you’re working in the wilderness If the sticky side of a duct tape strip gets covered with dirt leaves or grass it may become unusable Clear a workspace before creating your survival gear Be sure you remove loose leaves grass dirt and other debris Super Strength What makes duct tape so strong The secret is in its design Duct tape has fibers woven in a crisscross pattern These fibers keep the tape intact even under lots of pressure 7
