Adhesive tape, commonly referred to as tape, is a flexible strip of material coated with a sticky substance on one or both sides, used to bind, seal, fasten, or protect. It typically consists of a backing—made from paper, plastic film, cloth, or foil—and a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) that bonds without the need for heat or water. The origins of adhesive tape trace back to the early 20th century, with the invention of masking tape by Richard Drew in 1925. Since then, countless variations have emerged, adapted to different surfaces, temperatures, and mechanical demands.
The principle behind adhesive tape lies in tackiness—the ability of the adhesive to form a weak, reversible bond with the surface it touches. This allows tape to be applied and often removed with relative ease. Some tapes, like duct tape, prioritize strength and durability, while others, such as painter’s tape, are designed to peel off cleanly without leaving residue.
Tapes are used in everyday life to seal packages, wrap gifts, make quick repairs, organize cables, or mount objects to walls. In industrial settings, they’re essential for insulation, marking, splicing, or masking surfaces during production. In medicine, surgical tapes hold dressings in place without irritating the skin. Even in creative domains, adhesive tapes serve both decorative and structural purposes, such as in scrapbooking or set design.
Advanced versions include tapes with foam cores, tapes resistant to heat or UV exposure, and tapes that serve as gaskets or vibration dampeners. Some tapes are also designed to dissolve in water or biodegrade for eco-friendly applications. Despite its simplicity, adhesive tape remains a cleverly engineered solution to a wide variety of practical problems. From household drawers to aerospace labs, its quiet utility is often overlooked, yet indispensable.