You'll never guess why duct tape was invented
This is why I love creativity
Someone asked me earlier this week what got me so interested in researching creativity.
And they were more than a bit surprised by my answer.
Duct Tape.
Yes, my adventure into studying creativity started with that all-purpose silver tape.
It began with a discussion about the name – and when I followed my curiosity, I discovered a fascinating story.
And it highlights how you don’t need to be a Thomas Edison or Steve Jobs to come up with a great idea.
So here’s the story where it all began, that sparked my curiosity, and started my fascination with all things creativity…
Meet Vesta Stoudt.
In 1943, Vesta worked for the Green River Ordnance Plant in Illinois.
Her job was to pack and inspect cartridges for rifle grenades.
The boxes of cartridges were sealed with paper tape, with a tab to open them. Workers then dipped the entire box in wax to make it waterproof.
But Vesta noticed the boxes of ammunition she was packing and inspecting had a flaw.
The paper tape was very thin, and the tabs often tore off, meaning soldiers might be frantically trying to open the box while under fire.
Vesta had two sons in the Navy, and she thought about boys like hers – in the trenches fighting. Hurrying to open a box of cartridges as the enemy approached.
Vesta wondered…
Why not create a waterproof tape to seal the boxes instead?
She told her supervisors – but they rejected her idea.
So, she did the only thing she could do.
She wrote a letter to the President of the United States – Franklin D. Roosevelt – outlining the problem and her solution – including diagrams.
In her letter she wrote to the President, explaining the problem and her solution of a strong cloth tape.
She wrote:
“I have two sons out there some where, one in the Pacific Island the other one with the Atlantic Fleet. You have sons in the service also. We can’t let them down by giving them a box of cartridges that takes a minute or more to open, the enemy taking their lives, that could have been saved had the box been taped with a strong cloth tape that can be opened in a split second.
I didn’t know who to write to Mr. President, so have written you hoping for your boys, my boys, and every man that uses the rifle grenade, that this package of rifle cartridges may be taped with the correct tape.”
The President passed her letter to the War Production Board, and on March 26, 1943, the War Department sent Vesta a letter, thanking her for her idea and advising her it been approved. They said her idea was ‘of exceptional merit’ and asked her to send them any other ideas in the future.
The Industrial Tape Corporation (part of Johnson & Johnson) began creating the tape Vesta had described.
And it was even more useful than Vesta could have imagined.
The military called the waterproof, cloth-backed, green tape '100-mile-per-hour tape' because they could use it to fix anything – from fenders on jeeps to boots.
And to this day, soldiers still use Vesta’s creation to do everything from repair equipment to patch footwear.
Recent Work and Writing
Stop Talking, Matt Damon — Matt Damon complained that people are paying more attention to words these days. He needs to pay more attention to his.
I’m Mad as Hell and I’m Not Going To Take It Anymore — Seek the truth and report it. Minimize Harm. Act with Integrity. When I see these journalism standards broken, I get mad as hell (which is less fun than feeling ‘good as hell’ a la Lizzo).
Stephen King is Giving Me Hope — England lost the Euros, Covid cases are on the rise - but Stephen King (yes, Stephen King) is giving me hope.
Three Tips to Avoid Burnout — Enough of the advice about diet, exercise and sleep. Here are other tips to help you manage right now.
The Story Everyone Should Know About Venus Williams — Sure she’s won a lot of tennis matches, but she here’s one fight she won that you may not have heard about.
How Can I Help?
I just read a report that creativity is at an all-time low among adults. That’s not good –as we need creativity to solve problems and innovate.
Luckily, I have a solution!
I have a new creative workshop that I’m excited to be sharing with corporate clients and their teams – particularly those who aren’t in the “creative industries” or who feel they “just aren’t creative.”
If you know someone who needs help coming up with better ideas, and wants to build a culture where creativity and innovation thrive, please tell them to get in touch.
And if you know someone who needs help improving their communication skills (e.g. public speaking, writing or storytelling), please get in touch and check out my website for more information.
These are skills everyone needs – and they are skills everyone can develop!
Keep Smiling - and Stay Curious!
-Beth
