The first adhesive tape was a surgical tape invented by Dr. Horace Day in 1845. 

Of course, this isn’t where taping and gluing started. For example, Ancient Egyptians used substances such as beeswax and resin to stick things together.

Around 1500 and 1000 BC, glue was made from animal adhesives to bond items and laminate. 

Romans had various sources for making adhesives, such as egg whites, vegetables, animal hides, etc. 

Evidence suggested the presence of adhesive around 4000 BC when pots were mended by adhesive substances made from tree saps. 

Detailed scripts date back to 2000 BC describing how adhesives were made with fish glue. 

Keep reading to discover more about the invention and history of adhesive tape. 

Inventing The Adhesive Tapes: The High-Pressure Adhesive Tape

Even though the making of adhesives can be traced back to 4000 BC, we need to remember that these weren’t highly effective. 

Ancient Egyptians and Romans could bond things together, but these wouldn’t hold up as effectively under high pressure. 

One of the first innovative breakthroughs that set the stage for adhesive tapes is connected to Dr. Horace Day. 

The way his adhesive tape was a rubber attached to fabric strips. This was a huge step in the right direction, but it wasn’t ideal as it would fall off randomly. 

But it set the stage for further developments. 

Johnson and Johnson were the inventors who took the development of adhesive tapes one step further when they came up with Band-Aid. 

In its initial invention, Band-Aid looked like this: a cloth-backed tape with a piece of gauze on it. 

Johnson and Johnson developed a waterproof during World War in 1942 to help with sealing repair equipment and ammo boxes on the field. This solution was a cloth tape coated with polyethylene. 

This is how duct tape came to be. 

And, of course, today, we have so many great types of tapes available to us. 

Adhesive Tape Today: The Different Types

The evidence of adhesive tape can be traced far back. And since its humble beginnings, it has come a long way. 

Today we don’t have just 1 type of adhesive tape, not even just 10 times, but much more. 

Adhesive tape has a carrier coated with glue. The carrier can have different materials, such as foam, plastic film, paper, foil, cloth, etc. 

Let’s quickly look at what the decades of innovation have created for us today. 

The Most Popular Categories Of Adhesive Tape

There are several categories of adhesive tapes. These are the following:

• Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape
  • These are tacky at room temperature when dry 
  • They adhere by simply applying them with your fingers 

• Heat Activated Adhesive Tape
  • These are usually tack-free until heat activates the adhesive properties 
  • These tapes are great for more aggressive gluing to difficult surfaces

• Water Activated Adhesive Tape
  • This type of adhesive tape becomes sticky when it comes in contact with moisture 

The Types Of Adhesive Tapes

Today our job has become easy because we can choose from various types of adhesives to help us with specific projects. 

Today you don’t have to make one type of adhesive tape work for all kinds of projects because different types of tapes have been made for all kinds of projects and needs. 

So let’s check these out. 

• Box-Sealing Tape 

Box-sealing tape makes sealing packed boxes easy. To save time and make it even easier to apply, you can use a tool specifically designed for this tape and for this project that you can hold in your hand.

• Bondage Tape

This tape can adhere to itself and the skin. It isn’t very sticky, so you can easily peel it off without worrying about getting your hair, or a clothing item stuck. 

• Duct Tape

This pressure-sensitive tape is typically coated with polyethylene glue. This adhesive tape can be used for various purposes because its bonding capability is very strong. 

• Elastic Therapeutic Tape 

This type of tape is also known as Kinesiology tape. Their purpose is to help pain caused by injury.  

• Drywall Tape 

This is the adhesive tape used on drywall to cover the seams between the drywall sheets for a seamless look. 

• Electrical Tape 

This is the tape used to insulate electric wires. 

• Filament Tape 

Filament adhesive tape offers a very strong bond. It carries a fiberglass coating for increased strength. 

• Floor Marking Tape 

This heavy-duty tape marks outlines, directions, and divided spaces on the floor. 

• Grip Tape 

This adhesive tape helps you have a really good grip on the item you attach it to. It is very strong and durable. 

You won’t need to re-tape your item multiple times because it will hold. 

• Friction Tape 

Friction Adhesive tape is generally used to insulate splices in cables and electric wires. It offers exceptional protection against liquids and corrosion. 

It does contain glue on both sides. 

• Gaffer Tape 

Gaffer Tape delivers one of the highest strengths as it has an abrasion and weather-resistant backing. 

This tape is commonly used in films, theater, and even photography. 

• Pond Liner Seam Tape 

This adhesive tape seal steams and waterproofs. It is ideal when it comes to repairing leaking ponds. 

• Double Sided Tape 

Double-sided tape is commonly used to attach two items, to ensure that they stay in place while you carry out other aspects of the project, such as cutting into them while ensuring the pieces are secured. 

• Gorilla Tape 

This Gorilla Glue version of duct tape offers a very strong bond. 

• Lingerie Tape

If this isn’t familiar to you, then maybe some of its other names will be fashion tape or cleavage tape. 

This tape helps you keep your clothing in place, keeping covered all you want to remain covered when you are wearing a loose fabric. 

You can also use this tape to keep above-the-knee socks and boots from sliding down. 

• Masking Tape 

This is also known as Painter’s tape. It is thin and easy to peel off once you use it. 

You can choose from different strength options. 

• Road Marking Tape 

This adhesive tape has reflective beads on it. It is generally used to mark crosswalks, lanes, and other guiding spots on the road. 

• Scotch Tape 

Scotch tape has become a huge part of the day to day life. It can be used on paper, to close envelopes, to wrap gifts, and for many other projects. 

• Paper Tape 

Pater Tape is the stronger and thicker version of masking tape. You can easily write on this tape if you need to. 

• Facing Tape 

Facing tape withstands extreme temperatures. It is made to stay strong and remain durable even on extremely cold winter nights and hot summer days. 

This tape is generally used to correct connections between ducts. 

• Hockey Tape 

Hockey tape is wrapped on the stick, offering better control over the puck. 

• Security Tape 

This is used in shipping and storing boxes to ensure no one opens them up. So it serves as a security tape that lets you know if someone has opened the box and potentially tampered with the contents of it. 

• Self-amalgaming Tape 

This tape bonds to itself when applied to a surface to provide a strong, waterproof, and insulating layer. 

• Speed Tape 

Speed tape is aluminum pressure sensitive. It is used for small repairs on cars or aircraft. It can remain strong on an airplane wing even at high speeds. 

Some variations of this tape are resistant to water, flames, and solvents. 

• Spike Tape

This tape is used in theaters and other locations to mark the stage for where actors will be standing or where the furniture needs to be placed. 

It is strong but won’t leave a glue residue when peeled off. 

• Holographic Tape 

Gardeners and homeowners use this tape to scare birds away. 

• Surgical Tape 

Surgical tape is pressure-sensitive. It is used to secure bandages and dressings in place. 

These hypoallergenic adhesive tapes are specifically designed to stick to the skin and offer easy removal when peeling it off. 

• Wound Closing Tape 

If you accidentally get a cut or have a wound, these tapes are specifically made to help close them. They also prevent scarring if used properly. 

• Tear Tape

This narrow tape is used inside packages and allows for a very easy opening. 

• Floral Arrangement Tape 

These tapes help put and keep flowers and leave them beautifully in place. 

• Flagging Tape 

Flagging tape is also known as trail tape. It is great for marking various trails, including hiking, hunting, skiing, or snowmobile. 

• Tie Tape 

This tape is to help tie things such as vines, vegetables, tomatoes, or flowers. 

It is made to be strong and withstand the outdoor elements without damaging the plants. 

• Magnetic Tape 

This is a great adhesive tape to stick items to any metal or magnetic surface. 

You can use either the magnetic or dry-erase side of this tape. 

Conclusion

Looking back at where adhesives started, their shape, form, and strength, and where it has arrived today, there is so much history and innovation involved. 

We can only be grateful for where adhesive tapes are today, and all the types, possibilities, and durable but easy solutions they offer us.