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Citation Station: Scotch Tape was NOT named after the drink

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    Scotch tape was originally made for painting cars The tops of cars were one color, and the bottom was another. Auto painters wanted a tape that woulden't leave residue--or worse, take the paint off again--and was easy to tape newspaper to, as that is how they protected the already painted surface from getting splattered.

    At first, the inventors only put adhesive on the outer edges of the cellophane tape as it wasn't needed in the middle--or so they thought. When given to the auto painters, they complained about the lack of adhesive in the middle. They said,

    "Get this SCOTCH tape outta here!"

    As Scotch was a slang term for anything of cheap or inferior quality at the time. This was because the Scottish immigrants were very poor, and the resulting name--if you will forgive the pun--stuck with the tape to this very day.

    And that is how Scotch Tape got it's name. Not from the favorite beverage of the creator.

  2.  

    There is a problem with information on the Internet, and I think Dragonphyre's post stands indicative of that fact.

    It's so easy for someone to just come and create an account here and post whatever they'd like. Look, on one hand, that's what's so great about this place. That is to say, the idea that any person interested in factoids and miscellany can come be among fact checking friends, is really the great promise of the Internet. On the other hand, I feel like sometimes it opens us up to people who think they can strut in here and make un-cited and unresearched claims loosely based on or inspired by the claims of someone with equally as shoddy information.

    "Some random website" does not a citation make.

    Tomorrow may be Halloween, but today truly is a sad day for Gullible.info.

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2007
     

    Hear hear!

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      CommentAuthorPaulustrious
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2007 edited
     
    Posted By: legatissimo

    someone with equally as shoddy information.

    I think some of us might take offence at that.

  5.  

    You're absolutely right, Paul. I think we all take offense at the baseless claims Dragonphyre has made.

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      CommentAuthorUdoboy
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2007
     

    Not only is Dragonphyre's story not true, it's a poor quote of a wikipedia article. Scotch Tape was called so before it was used as part of the car-painting process.

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      CommentAuthorAthene
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     

    It's a blatant attempt at making the name fit an ethnic group, just like people making all these bacronyms. When things like these get posted to (ahem) Wikipedia, it makes those of us who truly care about the information and take the time to do the research instead of just making things up willy-nilly look very bad.

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      CommentAuthorlegatissimo
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007 edited
     

    Now that I've had a bit of a chance to cool down I'd like to say that I am Scottish, and the reason I got so mad probably had less to do with Dragonphyre's lack of research and more to do with the racist undertones of the comment.

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      CommentAuthorAthene
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007
     

    It's OK, legatissimo. That type of stereotypical and bigoted thinking really makes me upset, too.

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007
     

    Women often have that kind of reaction to that stuff.

  11.  

    L, you maybe Scottish or a Scot. Scotch is a drink.

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007
     

    Or a tape.

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    Remind me to get you a large scotch next time we meet.

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    I don't need yet another person insulting my national heritage :argh:

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      CommentAuthorPiggie8
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007
     

    You know, I actually have to thank this dude because I never thought of the tape and drink having the same name, like they are both Scotch. Cool! :)

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007 edited
     

    They taste the same too. Mmm -- iodine, peat, smoke and heather.

  17.  

    http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/blknow_scotchtape.htm

    http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/7/leftovers7.php

    Both of these additional websites validate what Dragonphyre stated.

    So... all of you who think Dragonphyre was just popping off... it wouldn't appear so. And for all of you who were stating they were false claims, and there's no way "Scotch tape" could have begun with an ethnic slur... I noticed none of you offering any facts to prove the "claim" wrong. Just a lot of hot air for being offended at something, that as far as I can tell, is the truth.

    History is not politically correct...

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeNov 9th 2007
     

    Nor, sir, are you!

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      CommentAuthorPaulustrious
    • CommentTimeNov 9th 2007 edited
     

    I find it amazing how people will take an urban legend, pass it round a few times until it becomes the 'truth'. Most of the Scots I know have been extremely generous and conscientious people who would never dream of short-changing anyone. Do you not find it unlikely that you would name a product after a deficiency?

    If I was selling paint, and it was sent back because it was too thin, I would not name it Somali Paint.

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      CommentAuthornyarfdude
    • CommentTimeNov 9th 2007
     

    Well said!

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    Then... what IS the truth - since all of you keep saying it's not true, but you're not saying anything other than that.

    I'm genuinely curious what the TRUE story is... how did Scotch tape get it's name, if it did not begin with an ethnic slur?

  22.  

    And yet more "proof" of this "urban legend" -- saying the same thing the other two websites that I posted did, as well as what Dragonphyre orginally posted...

    http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/1995/3/1995_3_48.shtml
    (taken from the above website:) One day in 1925 Drew was visiting a St. Paul auto-body shop to run some tests on Wetordry when he heard a worker give vent to a remarkable and bitter string of profanity.

    For a while they marketed a paper tape that almost did the trick; the automakers went along with it but continued to complain. This interim tape is worth noting for one reason. To save on glue, 3M coated only its edges, prompting customers to joke that the company was being overly “Scotch,” or parsimonious. Alert to the promotional possibilities of the line, 3M (while adding more glue) decided to advertise its product as Scotch Brand tape.

    http://www.3m.com/brands/scotch/anniversary/images/Scotchtape_75uses.pdf
    There is nothing at 3m's website that states how the name came about. They do mention Richard Drew as the inventor, or key player though.

    http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/Scotch_Tape.htm
    (taken from the above website:)
    In 1923, Richard Drew joined the 3M company located in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the time, 3M only made sandpaper. Drew was product testing 3M's Wetordry brand sandpaper at a local auto bodyshop, when he noticed that auto painters were having a hard time making clean dividing lines on two-color paint jobs. Richard Drew was inspired to invent the world's first masking tape in 1925, as a solution to the auto painters' dilemma.
    Brandname Scotch
    The brandname Scotch came about while Richard Drew was testing his first masking tape to determine how much adhesive he needed to add. The bodyshop painter became frustrated with the sample masking tape and exclaimed, "Take this tape back to those Scotch bosses of yours and tell them to put more adhesive on it!" The name was soon applied to the entire line of 3M tapes.
    Scotch Brand Cellulose Tape was invented five years later.
    ---

    Please... someone show me proof to the contrary. I was not advocating ethnic slurs - do not misunderstand my previous comment of "History is not politically correct" - that is a fact, not just my opinion, I'm sure we can all think of SEVERAL examples that would prove that comment.

    Obviously this type of thing would not happen today, but the world was a different place in 1930's/1940's... I think it's funny how everyone wants to pretend that the way the name came about just simply can not be true. And I think it's funnier how by everyone saying it's not true... doesn't make it NOT TRUE.

    Show me proof of another story - proof, not just one person saying something. I've provided 4 different web addresses that backs up the original thread of this discussion. I think it's only fair to ask for at least 3 websites stating contrary to this to count as some debatable truth... I'd love to read it. I'm not against being wrong - I'm just against someone saying I'm wrong, but backing it up with nothing. It's ridiculous.

  23.  

    How many hours of your life did you spend researching that just to argue? Just because someone says something is real and you happen to read it "on at least 3 websites", you shouldn't believe it. Not everything on the internet is real. If you did research in other ways (*gasp* books) then I would be more apt to agree with your story, but as you didn't, it's just that: A story.

  24.  

    Yet... more accusations, and no proof.

    Tell me some books to read, and I'll read them. Give me some magazine articles on this topic - and I'll read them. Reading on the website, or reading printed material takes the same skill - reading, so... not sure what your point was there, but way to try and dig at me. Kudos for that.

    And how many "hours" did I spend researching... maybe 30 minutes to find those 4 websites. But that is apparently more than any one else who has commented on the subject, because I at least have something to argue about, and at least some sort of reference to share for others to read themselves and decide what they think is true or not. All you folks are just mad... that's all.

    No, not everything on the internet is real - I'm glad we agree on that. But... just want to add... not everything PRINTED ON PAPER is true either. I'm sure you can agree with that...?

    Still no other proof, or documentation to the contrary though, so now I'm getting bored.

    For this being a "fact check" forum... I'm finding a remarkable lack of facts.
    (laughing at this whole thing...you people crack me up.)

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeNov 9th 2007
     

    Proof is overrated

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      CommentAuthornyarfdude
    • CommentTimeNov 9th 2007
     

    Proof? You can't handle the proof!!:argh:

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      CommentAuthorTrance
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007
     
    Posted By: Green Toner

    laughing at this whole thing...you people crack me up.

    Ditto.

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      CommentAuthorPaulustrious
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007 edited
     

    The tape is called Scotch, and was probably named by the owners after their heritage. The automotive tape that was used for delineation was only sticky on the edges so that it could be moved more easily place once in place and could follow curves - not because it was cheaper to make. The story about some automobile shop owner is apocryphal. The proof of this lies in the story. The person or automobile shop is never named. This is true of all urban legends. I know someone who heard from someone about an incident that happened to an unnamed person visiting an unnamed car painter on some day or other. And it's absolutely true cus 3M said so and lots of web sites are backing each other up. It is now incontrovertible.

    3M have a history of these legends. For example they accidentally invented a glue that wouldn't stick to anything and some bright spark said "Bingo - that's what we need for sticky notes which I am now going to invent".

  29.  

    Paulustrious - what is your source, that I can read for myself, where you got your information from? You neglected to add that part to your retort.

    In the meantime here is yet another site (what's that make... 5 now?) that supports the same story that started this.

    http://www.arikah.com/encyclopedia/Scotch_Tape

    Use of the term "Scotch" in the name has a rather pejorative origin. 3M tried to cut the costs of production, the adhesive was attached only on the edges of the tape. A remark was made that the stingy Scotch bosses need to put more adhesive on it - the name has stuck ever since.[1] Scotty McTape, a kilt-wearing cartoon boy, was the brand's mascot for two decades, first appearing in 1944. The familiar plaid design was introduced to packing soon afterwards in 1945.

    (A word or phrase is pejorative if it implies contempt or disapproval.)

    ---

    FACT FORUM... bring facts, if you have any. People keep saying this story is wrong, BUT NONE OF YOU HAVE PROVEN IT IS TRULY WRONG.

    Nyarfdude, I'd have to disagree with your comment... it appears that the rest of the people here can not handle the truth, including yourself... I've provided plenty of references for all of you to read. None of you have provided anything else to validate your OPINIONS.

    Let me guess... are you all a bunch of "faith" based people? "Proof is overrated" just sounds like something someone who doesn't have any proof would say. As long as I BELIEVE it's true, it must be true.

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      CommentAuthorTrance
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007
     
    Posted By: Green Toner

    are you all a bunch of "faith" based people?

    I know I am. It's similar to the faith you place in your Internet sources.
    One contradicts another so the majority MUST be right...
    And the Earth is flat!

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      CommentAuthorPiggie8
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007 edited
     

    Gosh, Green Toner.

    EDIT: I'm on top of Legatissimo!

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      CommentAuthorTrance
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007
     
    Posted By: Piggie8

    I'm on top of Legatissimo!

    Don't...make...any...sudden...movements...

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      CommentAuthorlegatissimo
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007 edited
     

    Green Toner, I certainly don't appreciate your tone, nor do I appreciate what you are insinuating. However, I very much appreciate your gusto when it comes to demanding citations. That's the first step in better media literacy. The second step, though, is determining what constitutes an authoritative source and what doesn't.

    Because you're citing a bunch of websites, I'm going to assume that you're probably a high school or younger-aged student where you can get away with that sort of "citation".

    When you grow up, you'll find out that there is a much higher threshold for what constitutes a fact in the real world. You'll learn the difference between a primary and secondary source, and the value of printed media over electronic media. Anyone can make a web page and put anything they want on it. Books however, have a much higher hurdle they need to meet.

    I'd like to apologize for not getting this information to you sooner, but we were having a bit of a mixup in the records department and I couldn't get the scans until earlier this afternoon. The factoid came from a book called A life of Beautiful Music and Tape, written in 1944 by Richard Drew, the inventor of scotch tape (and accomplished banjoist). Because this is a first-hand account of his invention, it's what's called a "primary source", and that makes it more authoritative than what are called "secondary sources", people who take the primary source and repeat it.

    When you were just a bit younger did you ever play the game Telephone? It's the game where children sit in a circle and whisper a message around. It's a good illustration of why you can trust primary sources more than secondary sources. Every time the message goes from one person to another, it loses a little of its accuracy, until when it finally gets to the end. ("Bygones derail" could become "Bacon hats on sale"!!)

    And now I'm starting to ramble. Let me cut to the chase: On page 94 of Drew's autobiography he recounts the story of scotch tape. It was during the height of Prohibition, and as a joke to Uncle Sam, he calls his new tape "Scotch" tape, proclaiming: "I'll have my Scotch one way or another."

    Now you know the truth. And I hope you've learned a valuable lesson today, too.

  34.  

    We must agree that all of these web sites have one original source - 3M itself. So the number of web sites quoting it is completely irrelevant. The question lies in the truth of 3M's disclosure. Some things stick out as incongruous and point straight to urban legend / fabrication:

    1) They all know the words the unnamed painter uttered, to the exact syllable.
    2) They do not know the painter's name nor company.
    3) No-one uses slurs to advertise their products.
    4) Scotch tape was not masking tape as used in painting.
    5) 'Plastic' tape does not make good masking tape as paint runs. (Check out your local hardware store)

    This is as believable as children being poisoned on Halloween by non-relatives.

  35.  

    legatissimo... thank you for finally providing something of relevance. Not just of relevance, but that has completely trumped my five 'secondary sources.' I genuinely mean it. An autobiography is the definitive source, I can not argue with that.

    In regard to all the peripheral matters... childish games have you, but not without logic. And I am not the only one who engaged in it. ;)

    In all my quick searches I did pick up that Richard Drew was an accomplished banjoist. Thank you for providing the scan of his book, I just might peel myself away from my electronic media one day and try one of these books you all keep speaking of. ;) (that is an attempt at humor... in case anyone missed it).

    I'm not entirely certain what lesson you intended on teaching, but... all I was looking for was fact and you most certainly brought that. Thank you for the debate.
    GT

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      CommentAuthorTaed
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007
     

    I actually went to a talk by Dick Drew shortly before his death. I was just a teenager at the time, but my dad was into the whole auto industry thing, so we drove all the way to some festival in Detroit and Drew was one of the speakers. By no means an attractive man, by the way. I do recall quite clearly that after he was introduced, he walked up to the podium, pulled out a bottle of scotch, slammed it on the podium, and declared, "THIS is why it's called Scotch Tape!" Of course, the rest of the talk was a disappointment compared to his opening line!

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      CommentAuthorFact totum
    • CommentTimeNov 10th 2007
     
    Posted By: Green Toner

    "Proof is overrated" just sounds like something someone who doesn't have any proof would say.

    I forgive you, for you know not what you say.

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