Gaffer tape (also known as gaffer’s tape, gaff tape or gaffa tape as well as spike tape for narrow, coloured gaffer tape) is a heavy cotton cloth pressure-sensitive tape with strong adhesive and tensile properties. It is widely used in theatre, photography, film, radio and television production, and industrial staging work.
Gaffer Tape is not Duct Tape
While sometimes confused with duct tape, gaffer tape differs in the composition of both the backing, which is made from fabric as opposed to vinyl or other plastics, and the adhesive, which is more resistant to heat and more easily removed without damaging the surface to which it adhered.
History
The precise origin of the name is unknown, one hypothesis being that it is named for the gaffer (chief lighting technician) on a film crew. When cables are taped down on a stage or other surface, either to prevent tripping hazards or conceal them from view of the audience or camera, they are said to be gaffed or gaffered.
Gaffer tape was invented in 1959 by Ross Lowell, director, cinematographer, and founder of Lowel-Light. Lowell transferred the adhesive from Johnson & Johnson’s Permacel tape, also known as duct tape, to silver fabric, and Lowel-Light introduced gaffer tape to the market.
Manufacturers of Gaffer Tape
There are many companies today that manufacture and market “Gaffa tape” products: Pro Tapes, Permacel, Polyken, Shurtape, and more.
Note
Gaffer tape: it can’t fix stupid, but it can muffle the sound.