In observing the tricentennial America250 celebration, the community of Lorain County, Ohio, is claiming its stake in the tape—duct tape, that is. As reported by the Lorain County Ohio Government's social media, February marks a time not just for national reflection, but also for celebrating the local legacy of this ubiquitous adhesive.
Since Manco Inc., known today as Duck® Brand, set up shop in Avon back in '96, the area has garnered the nickname the "Duct Tape Capital of the World." The sticky stuff, originally named "duck tape" during its WWII debut for sealing ammo boxes, was repurposed in the subsequent peacetime prosperity. By the 1970s, Manco made sure that duct tape became a fixture in American households and workshops, thanks to its retail distribution muscle.
Fast-forward to the present, Duck® Brand's operations in Avon are a testament to Lorain County’s contributions to American manufacturing and ingenuity. It's a narrative of transformation, of war-time tools turned domestic standbys, a strain of American exceptionalism woven into the very fabric of the nation.
With the America 250-Ohio festivities, it isn't just about throwing a birthday bash for the red, white, and blue. It's about recognizing pieces of history—like duct tape—that stuck around, shaping our culture and our handiwork. Duck® Brand, in turn, continues to roll out the narrative of American resourcefulness and creativity, perpetuating a problem-solving legacy that Lorain County wears like a badge of honor.
