Is it "duck" or "duct" tape?

Every Alaskan reveres the little silver role of magic known as duct tape. But originally, it was not silver, and it was called "duck" tape, not "duct" tape.

The tape was first manufactured by Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division, during World War II.

The military needed a waterproof tape to keep the moisture out of ammunition boxes, and the army green-colored tape was just the trick. It worked perfectly, the first sign that it would become a staple in American's lives. It didn't have a formal name, but because it was waterproof, everyone started calling it "duck" tape, because the water ran off of it like water off a duck's back, legend has it.

Even then, the tape's reputation as a fix-all was being realized. Soldiers quickly found out that the tape could be used for a wide variety of reasons, from fixing their guns to making makeshift backpacks.

After the war, people in the housing industry were using the tape and realized it was a perfect tool for joining heating and air conditioning duct work.

The color was changed from army green to the silver color of duct work, and the name evolved into "duct" tape. Today, there is duct tape in every width and color, and its uses are widespread.

Either use of the name -- duct and duck -- is acceptable. "The Duct Tape Guys" go by either name, they said.