The roots of cellophane tape begin with the invention of cellophane. In 1900, in an attempt to make a water-resistant fabric, Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger applied a substance (later called cellophane) to a fabric. It proved too stiff for clothing. As he peeled it off of the fabric, it came off in one stiff piece. In further tests, he added glycerin to the material to soften it. Then, in 1912, he created a machine to manufacture the material. Brandenberger named it cellophane and obtained a patent. 

Several years later, along came Richard Gurley Drew the inventor of cellophane tape. He began his career in 1920 at 3M Corporation.  In 1925, Drew was assigned to create a tape for automobiles. The result was the creation of masking tape. In 1929, he decided to try coating an adhesive onto cellophane, a relatively new product, and test it. The material was sticky, waterproof, and invisible. He quickly discovered his invention was great for adhering papers together, sealing packages, and a wide variety of other uses. He received a patent for cellophane tape on May 27, 1930. Cellophane tape hit the marketplace on January 31, 1930.

What’s in a name? It was originally called ” Scotch Cellophane Tape”. A short time later, it was renamed “Scotch Transparent Tape” to emphasize its clear and invisible characteristic. Nowadays, most people call it “Scotch Tape”. The names of this tape come from 3M Corporation, the inventor. Whatever you choose to call it, the tape does wonders with countless projects and needs. And, we just can’t be without it.