Military Use of Duct Tape
During WWII, the military used duct tape to seal ammunition cases against water. It was called "duck tape" then because water rolled off it like off a duck's back. Later, consumers began calling it by a different name.
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Miscellaneous Repairs
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The military uses duct tape to put anything from a rifle to a Jeep back together. It's strong, sticks well and can be torn by hand, so it's used to patch broken equipment in the field.
Reduce Air Friction
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The Air Force used duck tape to cover the openings of gun ports during takeoff. Covering the holes with tape cut down wind resistance in flight but was easy to shoot through.
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Grip
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Duck tape is sometimes wrapped around the handles of railings, gun stocks and other equipment to provide a better grip. The increased friction makes things easier to grasp and carry, particularly in sweaty hands.
Camouflage
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Duct tape is sometimes applied to reflective surfaces in combat zones so they won't bounce light up and reveal the troops' position. There is even a camouflage-print tape specifically for this purpose.
Strapping
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Since duct tape is strong and waterproof, it is sometimes used as strapping tape. It can hold a load on the back of a truck in a pinch, and soldiers often use it to tape items they need in a hurry directly onto their uniforms.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit green insulation tape image by green308 from Fotolia.com
