18 Crazy and Cool Things You Can Do With Scotch Tape

By The Manolith Team on July 27th, 2009

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In 1930, Richard G. Drew of 3M invented Scotch Brand Cellulose Tape. It was the first pressure-sensitive tape that was both waterproof and see through. Although it wasn’t an instant hit when the company first introduced it to the public, it didn’t take long for it to catch on. As soon as the public realized the versatility of Scotch Tape it was game on. Creative and resourceful people began using the tape in many different ways, some of which are quite unusual. Move over duct tape, in case you didn’t know it, Scotch Tape is giving you a run for your money.

Office Pranks

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Aside from all the practical uses for Scotch Tape in offices, it often plays a role in office pranks. Prankster coworkers have executed elaborate tape-ups in the cubicles of absent victims using the readily available rolls of Scotch Tape situated on nearly every desk.

Amazing Tape Art

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Although it may seem like a strange medium, some artists have created impressive artwork with Scotch Tape. While most of us would end up with a gigantic mess after pulling that much tape off a roll, these artists maintain control and are able to coax the tape into interesting sculptures.

Cleaning Up Broken Glass

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Accidents happen. Another practical use for Scotch Tape, other than taping a “Kick Me” sign to your boss’ back, is to safely clean up tiny fragments of broken glass. If you’ve had an accident and glass is everywhere, before you decide to walk through barefoot you should roll Scotch Tape, sticky side out, around a wad of paper towels. Then use your creation to pick up the slivers of broken glass.

Protecting Your World

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In today’s world of electronic overload, you may have more than one device with a screen in your pocket. A little Scotch Tape can go a long way to prevent ugly scratches to the screens of your hand-held devices. It’s clear and nearly invisible, so you’ll hardly know it is there and your Blackberry will thank you.

Making Hands Free Music

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While not for everyone, Scotch Tape has been used to attach a harmonica to a musician’s face to allow him to play hands-free. Yeah, of course there are devices made for this purpose, but what’s the fun in that? Why go to the expense of buying equipment when Scotch Tape does the same thing, only humorously?

It Holds Cars Together

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While it’s not the same version of Scotch Tape you see on your desk, 3M makes lots of varieties of sticky tape that is likely all around you. You might not realize that parts of your car are held together with 3M double-sided tape. Much of the upholstery in cars is now held in place with tape and those “chrome” accents? Yep, they are just pressed in place with 3M tape.

It Holds Planes Together, Too

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This should make you feel safer during air travel. There are four divisions of 3M that use the Scotch brand name. Three of these divisions produce industrial products. A high-bond double-sided tape is used to attach overlapping layers of metal skins to the frame of airplanes. The use of Scotch Tape eliminates the need for welding, rivets and screws. Piece of cake, ready to fly now?

Scotch Tape Produces X-rays

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In 1953, Russian scientists discovered that peeling Scotch Tape off a roll in a vacuum created triboluminescence that can produce X-rays. More recently, in 2008 American scientists conducted some experiments of their own and found that the X-rays produced by Scotch Tape are strong enough to X-ray a finger.

Remove Pet Hair and Lint

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In a hurry and can’t find your lint brush? Here’s another practical application for Scotch Tape that can make your life easier. Simply roll the tape around your hand sticky side out and dab any lint or pet hair from your clothing. It’s a quick and easy way to make sure you’re properly groomed, even if you just pet the cat.

Removes Adhesive Residue From Glass

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Pulling a piece of tape or a sticker off of a glass surface can leave sticky residue behind. Rather than going at it with glass cleaner, a little more tape can do the trick. Press a piece of Scotch Tape over the residue and quickly lift it to clean the leftover adhesive from the glass.

Autocratically Monitor the Thermostat

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Dads automatically have a built-in sensor to let them know when someone touches the thermostat. However, Dad can’t be there all the time, so Scotch Tape can help him out. A piece of tape over the thermostat control can prevent unauthorized temperature changes in the home and prevent Dad from having unnecessary blood pressure spikes.

Protected the Goodyear Blimp

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Scotch Tape was used to protect the Goodyear blimp. It served as an anti-corrosive shield on the craft.

Repairs Money

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While paper currency is remarkably durable, from time to time bills can get ripped or torn. Scotch Tape can fix it good as new, as far as spending is concerned. Taped together Benjamins often circulate for quite some time before being replaced.

Fool The Kids

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An X of Scotch Tape on a latex balloon can keep it from popping when you stick a pin in it. While most people have seen this old trick, if you have small children, you have the chance to trick them into believing you have special powers. Once you have them fooled, your life is bound to be a little easier.

Checking Out Melons

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It’s no euphemism, you honestly can use Scotch Tape to check the ripeness of actual melons. Simply cut out a small triangle of the melon and have a taste. If it isn’t ripe yet, replace the triangle and hold it in place with tape until the melon is ready.

Tracing Made Easy

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You can use Scotch Tape to hold paper in place while you make a tracing of an image underneath. This can be especially helpful on vertical surfaces such as walls, monuments or the television screen.

Saving Chicks

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Again, no euphemism here, we’re talking real chicks, not human women. Ornithologists use Scotch Tape to seal cracks in egg shells, allowing the chicks inside to mature and hatch. In the kitchen, a cracked egg you intend to cook with can be temporarily repaired with Scotch Tape, as long as the egg is fresh and used as soon as possible.

Removes Spots From Walls

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It depends on what the spot is, but if you notice a minor scuff mark on a wall, there’s no need to grab a paintbrush. By now you’ve realized Scotch Tape is your friend and ally. Before resorting to more drastic measures, such as moving furniture around to hide a mark on the wall, try to dab it off with the adhesive side of Scotch Tape. In many cases, it’s just that easy.