Scotch Tape - What Tartan?

**MacMullen** · 26th November 05, 05:36 PM

Does anyone have any idea what tartan 3M used with Scotch tape? Google didn't provide me with any answers and 3M and Scotch Tape aren't registered with the Tartan's Authority.

Just curious - not going to have a kilt made from it or anything.

**chasem** · 26th November 05, 05:46 PM

That tartan looks like Wallace, but I'm pretty sure 3M has its own tartan too.

**auld argonian** · 26th November 05, 06:09 PM

We were laughing about this in the store the other day: there were three 3M tartans in a tape display. The Red, Green and Purple. I also remember a light blue, white and black one that was used on reel-to-reel recording tape packages and a yellow, white and black one that was used on their auido cassette packaging back when cassettes were THE new thing. As I think back to my childhood (they had scotch tape THAT long ago?) I seem to remember that the green tartan had yellow in it as well as white and black and that the red tartan had green in it as well as white and black...these recent ones must be just a graphic simplification for a more "contemporary" look.

best

AA

**Bob C** · 26th November 05, 07:39 PM

3M is making wrapping paper in those patterns, too. Paper kilt, anyone?

**mexpiper** · 26th November 05, 07:41 PM

The green scotch tape was for 3/4 inch tape and the red was for 1/2 inch tape. I worked retail for years, and it was easier to tell the differance between the two. The yellow is for double stick tape and the purple was for "crystal" tape.

I found this link on why it is called scotch tape>
http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/...scotchtape.htm

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 26th November 05, 07:43 PM

Well I found this about the naming of scotch tape, but nothing about the actual tartan.

**Riverkilt** · 26th November 05, 08:46 PM

Here's a link for an old book about 3M. The book jacket has a good pic of the tartan, might help figure out if its a clan tartan.

http://www.acollectorschoice.com/si/001761.html

Ron

**Riverkilt** · 26th November 05, 09:09 PM

Hey, you're right Chasem, good eye.

It is the Wallace tartan

http://www.clanwallace.org/tartans2.html

Should be a passport for anyone working for 3M or selling 3M products to wear a Wallace tartan kilt to work

Ron

**MACKAY** · 27th November 05, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior

Well I found this about the naming of scotch tape, but nothing about the actual tartan.

This is an interesting story, and one that I could not dispute without further research. However, a few weeks back the History Channel or Discovery (can't remember which) had a program on the History of Glue (I know, I have to get a life). During the program I can remember a segment on Scotch Tape and how all clear tape was now generically referred to as "Scotch Tape" regardless of brand.

They went on to explaine that there was indeed a Scottish connection through either the inventor, or the sales guy who marketed it having an association with the name Wallace, thus the trademark tartan. They went on to explaine that the company went on to become, or was amalgimated into 3M.

Next time it is on I'll make sure to Tivo it and double check the story.

Brian Mackay

**Shay** · 27th November 05, 12:31 PM

I guess no one's tried looking on their website... they refer to it as plaid, not tartan.

Also, they've got the story ot the name, too in the little Fun Fact spot. Scotch tape used to had adhesive only on the sides, not all across the tape. Some auto painters told a a 3M rep to go back to his, "Scotch Bosses," and put ashesive all over the tape, and the name (no pun intended)stuck.

If you look at the plaids, you'll see the only thing that changes is the background color, though the yellow bacground has red lines instead of yellow.