The Origins of "Scotch"

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“Scotch” as a brand name for 3M tapes is believed to have its origins in a disgruntled auto-body painter who was using the new 3M masking tape. It was not sticking properly because it was not entirely coated with adhesive backing. He told a salesman to take the tape back to his “stingy Scotch bosses” and use more adhesive.

The story may be embellished, but the masking tape was improved and “Scotch” was soon put into use as a brand name.

The two billionth roll of “Scotch” masking tape was produced in 1957, 30 years after it went into mass production.