History Main / DuctTapeForEverything

* ''Film/{{Aliens}}''. Duct Tape is an integral part of Ripley's {{BFG}}.

* ''[[VideoGame/{{DOOM}} DOOM 3]]'' is an indirect example. Most fans didn't like the "flashlight simulator"[[labelnote:*]]in that you can only have a torch or a gun out at a time, and the game is ''[[WhoForgotTheLights very]]'' [[WhoForgotTheLights dark]][[/labelnote]] aspect of the game, so much so that the first mod created attaches a flashlight to most weapons. Its name? "Duct tape". The author says the mod is justified and not a cheat, because it's [[FakeDifficulty wholly illogical]] that one shouldn't be able to find a roll of duct tape or a similar adhesive in a space station of the future.

* ''Series/SweetHome'': Sang-wook uses duct tape to [[BoundAndGagged restrain Yun-jae] and [[WorstAid bandage a wound.]]

* In ''VideoGame/TheEscapists'', duct tape is used to craft almost every useful piece of equipment in the game. Tool upgrades require even more duct tape to craft. In addition to crafting, it can also be used to tie people up and temporarily block the view of cameras. Because it's so useful to potential escapists like yourself, it's considered contraband by the guards and is fairly difficult to get.
* Layla Hassan, protagonist of ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOrigins'''s real-world segments, uses copious amounts of duct tape to quickly attach an ancient Hidden Blade to her forearm when a team of elite killers almost gets the drop on her. It works like a charm and saves her life.
* Appears in ''VideoGame/PunchOut'''s Title Defense match with King Hippo, who duct-taped a manhole cover to his belly to keep the player from punching at it. It doesn't really do him much good, though, since the player can just punch across it to remove the tape and knock it off.
* In ''VideoGame/SuperAnimalRoyale'', rolls of the stuff can be used to repair armor. One application equals as much strength as an entire level 1 vest.
* ''VideoGame/WarBrokers'' has duct tape items that can repair armor.
* In ''VideoGame/CrashTagTeamRacing'', Nina will randomly remark that she can fix anything with duct tape when she drives into a wall.

* In ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'', Pronto the demo expert [[https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2003-04-02 loves using duct-tape]]. A foot-note also mentions that, out of common jury-rigging materials, "Duct Tape has actually seen the most change during the intervening centuries. For instance, it can now safely be used to fasten and seal duct-work. Just be sure to lose the handy-dandy spool with the built-in tape cutter before it trims the tape just above your first knuckle."
-->"Don't you love how casual a demolition man can be with a roll of duct-tape?"
* In the parodic fantasy webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Nodwick}}'', duct tape is an essential component of healing spells, up to and including the resurrection of the dead. Whether the tape itself has any inherent magical properties [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane is left to the reader's mind]], should one choose to venture beyond the RuleOfFunny powering the setting.

* ''WebComic/{{Archipelago}}'': What do you do when you're miles out to sea and the heart crystal, which powers the whole submarine, is fractured? [[http://archipelagocomic.com/comic/?id=397 Yup, you guessed it.]]
* Subverted in the title text of [[http://xkcd.com/478/ this]] ''WebComic/{{xkcd}}'', where duct tape is insufficient for the character, as it doesn't make [[SugarWiki/MostWonderfulSound "that 'kaCHUNK' noise."]]
* Pretty much the only thing keeping [[ButtMonkey Riku]] together in ''WebComic/AnsemRetort'' is duct tape. [[{{Jerkass}} Zexion]] ''could'' fix Riku better. He just doesn't want to.
* Most of the main cast in ''WebComic/TheWhiteboard'' uses duct tape for a lot of things, such as fixing guns or [[UnwillingSuspension tying somebody up to the ceiling of the store]].
* ''WebComic/{{d20monkey}}'' on the certain "[[http://www.d20monkey.com/2010/10/22/stuck-on-you/ Item Creation System]]" of ''VideoGame/DeadRising2''.
--> ...You just duct-taped chainsaws to a wheelchair?\\
Why not? The high-level characters [[{{Macgyvering}} make shit like that all the time]].

* In ''Webcomic/OurLittleAdventure'', [[http://danielscreations.com/ola/comics/ep0331.html Julie thinks she needs healing or to be patched up with duct tape.]]
* ''{{Webcomic/Matchu}}'' has a robot arm built for repairs that were so expensive, that all it's given to work with to put things back together is duct tape. Amber gets to close to it and ends up wrapped head to toe.
* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': The practice seems to have remained after ninety years. It gets used [[http://www.sssscomic.com/comic.php?page=660 to keep a door that doesn't have a lock closed (spoiler warning)]].
* ''Webcomic/TiffanyAndCorey'': Played For Laughs when Corey [[http://tiffanyandcorey.blogspot.com/2017/07/duct-tape.html uses duct tape to gag Tiffany]] and comments that duct tape does fix anything.

* WebOriginal/OrionsArm has [[http://www.orionsarm.com/eg-article/464f285677e0e Duck Tape 2.0]], with {{nanomachines}} on the sticky side and solar cells on the other.
-->With creative programming, Duck Tape 2.0, can be used for any number of applications.
* The amazing utility of duct tape is celebrated in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2l-F1ElJMc this parody]] of [[WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987 the catchiest cartoon intro ever]].

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/MegasXLR'', the titular mecha's photonic stabilizer is damaged, which could wind up with Megas exploding big time. After spending the whole episode looking for a replacement part, and in the middle of a fight ''for'' the replacement part that was [[ExplosiveOverclocking pushing Megas to its limits]], a cry of "DUCK!" [[EurekaMoment inspires Coop]] to wrap the damaged stabilizer in duct tape. Seconds later, Megas is able to fight at full power. "When in doubt, duck it."
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheReplacements'', Riley and Tasumi met when Riley used duct tape to mend an embarrassing rip in Tasumi's armour. Riley explains that her dad makes her carry a roll with her at all times as duct tape "can fix anything".

* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/IAmWeasel'' takes this to absurd levels, where the baboon is a ship captain and glues his ship together with duct tape and bubble gum.
* During the series finale of ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'' "The Journal", Grandpa threatens to use a roll of duct tape to silence Grandma when she continues interrupting the journal reading with her usual delusional comments. It works.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Squidbillies}}'' combines garbage bags and duct tape to give us the ''Hillbilly Hazmat Suit.'' Now breathe deep and hold your breath!!!
* According to ''WesternAnimation/OperationZERO'', the [[WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor Kids Next Door]] Moonbase was "39 gazillion tons" of mostly metal and duct tape.
* "Franklin's Promise" from ''Literature/{{Franklin}}'' has a notable {{subver|tedTrope}}sion. Throughout most of the story, Mr. Turtle tries to fix a malfunctioning sprinkler, becoming increasingly desperate. He finally tries to solve the problem by just slapping a whole bunch of duct tape over the thing, only for the water to burst through and ruin this latest slap-job fix. He finally admits defeat and joins a picnic with Mrs. Turtle, Franklin and his friends.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' episode "House Guest", Greg states duct tape is his go-to solution for anything broken, whether it be his van/home, his leg, or even [[spoiler:a dome that if broken would result in a highly dangerous magical storm]].

* ''WesternAnimation/CampLakeBottom'': In "Frankenfixer", the campers build a FrankensteinsMonster to serve as fix-it man for the camp. It uses duct tape for every repair. When he inevitably turns evil, it starts using duct tape as a weapon.
* In ''WesternAnimation/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy,'' ComicBook/RocketRaccoon starts stockpiling the stuff after seeing its miraculous abilities in action when the team first visits Earth.
* In ''WesternAnimation/DCSuperHeroGirls'', Bumblebee uses so much of it to hold her prototype super suit together, it's indirectly the source of her codename since it gives the suit bee-like stripes.

* Made a joke of by the ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'', when Jamie proposed attaching microphones to the necks of actual living ducks with ...what else? Ultimately an aversion: they put velcro-strip collars on the ducks instead.
** Later they made an entire hour long episode about its many uses. Including, lifting a car, patching a leaky boat, making an ''entire'' boat, sealing a potato gun, and finally ''making a fully functional cannon''.
** They did ''another'' Duct Tape hour, where they make a rope bridge out of the stuff, put a torn apart car back together (and it still works), and do the old trick of using duct tape to stick a car to a pole - the ''engine'' gives out before the tape did in both experiments. However, duct tape ''can't'' stop a 60 MPH car... well it ''could'', if you used enough of it, but it would take a ''lot'' of tape and the work of several ''days'' to do it. Note that it takes them several tries to get this result, because the duct tape wall keeps holding tight but the anchoring points on the concrete weights keep ripping off. It's only once the anchors finally hold on that the wall gives way.
** Adam also states that if they chose too, they could do an entire season with nothing but duct tape.
** The build team outdo themselves ''again'' by first fixing a grizzly bear mauled plane with Duct Tape to the point it can fly. Then ''making a functioning plane out of duct tape!''
** They've done a '''third''' hour-long episode, this time with duct tape as the only tool Adam and Jamie are allowed to use to escape from a DesertedIsland. They make a number of interesting objects, including sandals, a waterskin, a spear and net for hunting, a chess set, hammocks, and a duct tape version of Adam's trademark fedora. Oh, and an outrigger boat to escape from the island. Towards the end of the episode, Jamie basically sums the trope up with this:
-->"We've found that duct tape is not a perfect solution for anything. But with a little creativity, in a pinch, it's an adequate solution for just about everything."
** It should be made clear that the Mythbusters did rate survival on a desert island under realistic conditions (other than the duct tape supply) to be highly plausible, mostly ''because'' they resorted to duct tape in 90% of their survival situations. However, an effectively infinite supply of duct tape was assumed (approximately a whole shipped crate, if not an entire shipment), as well as a water supply like a spring or stream.
** Then they did ''another'' duct tape survival hour, this time the situation being a broken-down car in the middle of the desert, and they have to traverse the Grand Canyon.[[note]]Actually, a canyon in Utah, with the final segment taking place on a river in California's Central Valley[[/note]] This time, they also have a great deal of bubble wrap to help them out.
* This is lampshaded in ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''. Captain Janeway says that the ''Voyager'' is held together by duct tape.
** Which brings in a bit of FridgeLogic: Apparently duct tape survived into the 24th century, at least as a metaphor.
* Having his dad's chair in the living room is made even worse for ''Series/{{Frasier}}'' because his dad uses duct tape to patch up any damage to said chair.
* ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' - Abby uses duct tape to restrain her evil assistant in one episode.
* In ''Series/{{CSI}}'', someone asks Sara if she has any duct tape in her kit. She answers, "that's what keeps it together."
* In ''Series/{{Greek}}'', Rusty is duct taped to a wall during the first season episode ''War and Peace'' as part of a Kappa Tau/Omega Chi prank war.
* An episode of ''Series/{{Castle}}'' opens with Rick Castle having his daughter, Alexis, duct tape him into a chair, and leave him there, so he can figure out how his hero in [[ItsForABook the book he's writing]] will be able to extract himself from that situation.
* On ''Series/TheAmazingRace'', Season 16 had Steve & Allie crash their front right fender at a curb. When loose parts were making an awful scraping sound while driving, Steve used some Duct Tape (that his wife packed him "just in case") and was able to tape up the loose pieces and motor along to a respectable finish.
* On ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'' "the gang" uses Duct Tape with much more subtlety. They are seldom shown actually applying it but nearly everything they make themselves has at least some tape on it and when something is broken, it is often shown repaired with duct tape the next time it appears.
* Lampshaded on ''Series/OnceUponATime'':
--> '''Regina:''' The handyman? The only magical item you'll find here is duct tape!
* ''Series/{{Lucifer}}''. [[NotThatKindOfDoctor Dr Linda]] uses this to seal up [[GodInHumanForm Charlotte]]'s stab injury. Given that the wound emits blinding rays of light that can burn your face off, she can hardly take her to a hospital or use a conventional bandage.
-->'''Dr Linda:''' Trust me. This stuff's amazing.
* ''Series/CanadasWorstDriver'': When Season 4's Amy has problems with one of the challenges, her truck-driver husband does emergency bodywork on the challenge car with duct tape so she can finish her attempts. [[note]]She never manages it, but at least the bumpers stayed on.[[/note]]
* Because some drag queens use duct tape to tuck (conceal their genitals) ''Series/RuPaulsDragRace'' has had duct tape feature in a few challenges, including an outfit construction challenge. One memorable moment involved Trinity "The Tuck" Taylor ripping and applying several pieces of tape to her male partner in a makeover challenge to his increasingly vocal distress.
* ''Series/{{Millennium}}''. Subverted in "Somehow Satan Got Behind Me", when the [[TheCorrupter demon Blurk]] taunts serial killer wannabe Perry that he probably has a roll of duct tape in the glove compartment of his van because he fantasies about [[BoundAndGagged kidnapping women]] and murdering them. Turns out he does.

* In one arc of ''ComicStrip/AlleyOop'' some thugs from the present day captured some of Moo's people and tied them up with duct tape. King Guz was so impressed with the stuff that when they were freed he traded the time travel agency a couple of sacks full of diamonds for several rolls of it.

[[folder:Other]]
* Part of comedian Creator/TimAllen's routine was how every maintenance problem could be solved with duct tape. The catchphrase was "Have a problem with _____? Duct it!".
* "Duct Tape is like [[Franchise/StarWars The Force]]--It has a dark side and a light side, and it holds the universe together."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop RPG]]
* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' High Tech 4th ed. has a whole section devoted to duct tape (along with a [=MacGyver=] quote). Also, a section on [[Franchise/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy towels]].
* You can purchase duct tape (by a different name) in the ''TabletopGame/StarWarsSagaEdition'' RPG. Unfortunately, it doesn't give a bonus on Mechanics checks.
* In ''TabletopGame/D20Modern'', one of the magic items you can get is a roll of duct tape that instantly repairs anything broken you use it on. Essentially a potion of cure wounds for inanimate objects. Normal duct tape is one of the cheapest items on the equipment list.

* In ''VideoGame/ProjectSnowblind'' (a spinoff of ''VideoGame/DeusEx'');
-->"My brother died in the war. His multimillion-dollar helicopter was shot down by a grenade launcher held together with duct tape."
* In ''VideoGame/TonyHawksUnderground'', at the beginning of the game TheRival says of your skateboard: "Looks like that thing's held together with duct tape."
* Ducks in ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' [[RandomlyDrops randomly drop]] duct tape. If you collect enough [[http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/index.php/Duct_tape lengths of duct tape]], you can fuse them together to create things like a [[ImprobableWeaponUser Duct Tape Sword or a Duct Tape Shirt]].
* ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'': Arcueid doesn't see any problem with using duct tape to patch up her wounds, or keeping herself together after being cut into 17 pieces. She ''is'' a True Ancestor vampire, though (capable of rebuilding her body from scratch if need be), so don't try this at home.
** Duct Tape actually works fine as a bandage, if you're not too worried about sterility. Or if you use it with a sterile dressing.
** Unless you're Arcueid, at which point you'll just bleed right through it anyway. So, a subversion?

* In ''[[Website/GaiaOnline zOMG!]]'', you can wrap up your enemies with duct tape to keep them from moving. Even the [[MemeticBadass Landshark]].
** There's a Duct Tape item for your avatar on ''Website/GaiaOnline'', too. One pose, called "I FIX IT!!!" has your avatar duct-taped to the screen.
* ''[[VideoGame/{{DOOM}} DOOM 3]]'' is an indirect example. Most fans didn't like the "flashlight simulator"[[labelnote:*]]in that you can only have a torch or a gun out at a time, and the game is ''[[WhoForgotTheLights very]]'' [[WhoForgotTheLights dark]][[/labelnote]] aspect of the game, so much so that the first mod created attaches a flashlight to most weapons. Its name? "Duct tape". The author says the mod is justified and not a cheat, because it's [[FakeDifficulty wholly illogical]] that one shouldn't be able to find a roll of duct tape or a similar adhesive in a space station of the future.
* ''[[VideoGame/{{Wizardry}} Wizardry 8]]'' has the "Duct Tape" item. Gadgeteers can entangle an opponent with it.
* The Panther King in ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' apparently duct [[HumanDoorstop taped the Professor to his table as a substitute for the missing leg at some point]]. When the Professor goes to work on fixing the table, the King says, "I wouldn't want to have to get the duct tape out again."

* In ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'', [[spoiler:Erika uses it as her main weapon]].
-->'''Erika:''' I, Erika Furudo, have duct tape!!"
* ''VideoGame/SonicColors'': Given that Eggman's general M.O. includes [[NoOSHACompliance corner-cutting and reckless disregard of safety regulations]], one is hardly surprised to hear the following announcement over the tannoys in the Starlight Carnival zone.
-->'''Eggman''': "Please refrain from peeling off the special space-age polymer holding the starship together. [[BlatantLies It may look and feel like duct tape, but it's not.]] [[HesitationEqualsDishonesty It's called...]] [[SpaceX space... tape.]] Very advanced stuff. Thank you."
* A fan-produced expansion pack for ''VideoGame/FreeSpace2'' called ''VideoGame/{{Derelict}}'' features Lt. Mackie, who frequently references duct tape in his dialogue. Got far enough that it's considered one of the character's defining traits among the fandom.
* In ''VideoGame/GearHead'' Duct Tape is one of the repairing items. Given enough of it and a skilled repairman, one can fix a gaping hole in a mecha with it.
* ''VideoGame/KerbalSpaceProgram'' has struts, which essentially act as duct tape if your rockets won't stay together in flight. The fandom has even nicknamed them "space tape".

* In ''VideoGame/CitizensOfEarth'', The Handyman's basic healing skill is using duct tape. When he's damaged he may even randomly say "Nothin' a little duct tape can't fix!". His upgraded healing ability is using Super Glue (Heals more, but gives some turns of reduced agility).

* In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'', [[TheGenericGuy Hanta Sero's]] Quirk, Tape, allows him to create cellophane tape out of his elbows, which are shaped like tape dispensers. The tape is apparently strong enough to let him perform {{Building Swing}}s, immobilize foes and catch things from afar, making this a straight case of HeartIsAnAwesomePower.

* In ''Marvel Vs DC'', the Guardian of Space/Time (Access' predecessor) at first attempts to seal the rift between the Marvel and DC universes using duct tape. Surprisingly, this doesn't work.

* ComicBook/{{Shadowpact}}'s Enchantress carries a roll of this at all times with her. She's surprised Nightmaster doesn't.

* In ''Fanfic/ThisBites'', when Sanji's, Conis's, and Mikey's yelling for their crewmates keeps drawing the megafauna of Merville to attack them, Usopp shuts them up with duck tape over their mouths.

* A very distinctive duct tape (a prison had it custom made in a unique color to stop employees stealing it) provides a vital clue in the Patricia Cornwall novel ''The Body Farm''.
* The Literature/{{Discworld}} novel ''Literature/MovingPictures'' has the Disc's film industry starting in a fantasy setting, so Gaffer Bird, lacking gaffer tape, cites string in the same fix-everything manner.
* ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'':
** In ''[[Literature/TheCallistaTrilogy Children of the Jedi]]'', Luke uses "engine tape" as a makeshift bandage for his badly broken leg. This was apparently a common practice by the Rebellion due to supply shortages.
** One book mentioned the universe-wide joke that everything was held together with space tape, from starfighters to the Imperial Palace on Coruscant.
* In ''Literature/{{Schooled}}'', it's an early reference that one of the main characters' commune home is 30% duct tape, and they buy many, ''many'' rolls each time they go to the store.
** The novel also says that duct tape was used for flypaper, holding up baby diapers, house repairs, and broken bones. And in one of the final scenes, [[spoiler: after Cap is sent back to the commune, the only thing left in his room is a page from his report on what he thought the most useful invention in the world was, duct tape.]]
* In the Creator/JohnRingo ''Literature/IntoTheLookingGlass'' novels, "Spacetape" is used by the Marines and Navy aboard the ''Vorpal Blade''. It is superior to Duct tape in that it is usable in a vacuum and won't dry out under temperature extremes of deep space. The drawback? It costs upwards of $100,000 a roll!

* ''[[Literature/BillTheGalacticHero Bill the Galactic Hero on the Planet of Zombie Vampires]]'' has duct tape used to solve any and every engineering challenge, ranging from sealing hull breaches to modifying the toilet into a flamethrower.

* In the first chapter of the last book of ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' two essential tools for demigod heroes are mentioned: GreekFire and duct tape.
* There is even a chapter titled after this versatile tape in ''Literature/SixtyEightRooms''. The main characters used it as a sticky climbing wall when they shrank themselves to five inches tall.
* In ''Literature/TheMartian'', an astronaut stranded on Mars uses good old duct tape several times as he struggles to survive. He lampshades its usefulness.
--> "Duct tape works everywhere. Duct tape is magic and should be worshipped."

* When Ingrid is kidnapped in the 2nd book of the ''Literature/EchoFallsMysteries'' series, she is BoundAndGagged with duct tape. Later, she tries using duct tape to figure out what happened to the aforementioned duct tape.
* ''Literature/GravityFallsJournal3'': Upon returning and inspecting the portal, Ford notes that "Half of the instruments are held together with duct tape".

* ''Literature/HaveSpaceSuitWillTravel''. The protagonist Kip, who has a secondhand but well-designed spacesuit, and Peewee who has cheap tourist spacesuit, have to escape across the Moon's surface from the villains who kidnapped them. The problem is that Peewee only has one full bottle on her spacesuit, so Kip has to keep filling hers with the air from his own suit, and his oxygen bottles are the screw-in type while Peewee's have bayonet sockets. He's able to [[MacGyvering jury rig]] a connection using hose and surgical tape (the book was written in 1958, before duct tape was well known).
* In ''Chindi'', Literature/PriscillaHutchins uses "ram tape" (apparently a future version) to seal a DistressedDude in a washroom as his spaceship disintegrates around him (his spacesuit is in an inaccessable area of the ship). The washroom is then laser-cut out of the hull and towed by Hutch and the others (who are wearing spacesuits) back to their own spaceship.

* ''Series/SweetHome'': Sang-wook uses duct tape to [[BoundAndGagged restrain Yun-jae] and [[WorstAid bandage a wound.]]
* Duct Tape is the favorite tool of ''Series/MacGyver1985'' (he carries a roll around at all times). This has actually [[MemeticMutation resulted]] in an interesting phenomenon: Duct Tape is sometimes referred to as [=MacGyver=] Tape.

* Duct tape forms an essential part of one of the monster-fighting devices in ''Film/{{Tremors}}'': The Series, prompting Jodi to yell, "Duct tape! Duct tape can do anything!"
* Duct tape is explicitly anointed as the 'handyman's secret weapon' on ''Series/TheRedGreenShow'', becoming identified with it to the extent that [=3M=] became an official sponsor and Red (aka Steve Smith) became Scotch's spokesman in Canada.
** An entire episode of the program was called [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naJ18PUo55o "No Duct Tape"]] and focused on the Possum Lodge running out of it and Red freaking out over it. In a brief DVD commentary, Red Green poked at the writing staff (including himself) about the fact that it took them ten seasons to come up with that.
** One early episode contained a subversion by showing a situation when using duct tape is ''not'' a good idea-Red uses Harold to show how you can use duct tape to shave your legs. Also subverted (or played for laughs, depending on how you look at it) in a later episode when Red actually ''did'' need to tape two pieces of ductwork together, and spent nearly half a minute on-screen trying to figure out what he could use for this purpose before arriving at the obvious solution of ''masking'' tape.
* In an episode of ''[[http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/one-way-out/one-way-out.html One Way Out]]'', the oddball heroes test out various junkyard devices to survive a fall. They end up using a descender cable made of duct tape. Amazingly, it works.
* Joe from ''Series/NewsRadio'' once claimed that the only thing holding the station together was his home-made duct tape.
** In one episode, a class of kids around 10 years old go visit the station ("Broadcasters of the Future", they're not [[TimeTravel time travelers]] though). Every member of the cast is assigned to take care of one kid and show him around the station. Joe uses the day to show the boy assigned to him the many uses of duct tape (including taping the boy to his back for easier transport).
** In the ''Titanic'' episode, Joe claims that the hull is made entirely out of duct tape.

--->'''Miles:''' I don't believe in a lot of things, but I do believe in duct tape.
* In Season Two of Creator/DiscoveryChannel Canada's semi-reality show ''Series/CanadasWorstHandyman'', one of the contestants kept falling back on duct tape for everything. The producers were very much annoyed at him.

* In the last ''Film/DotAndTheKangaroo'' sequel, a race of bubble-shaped aliens use their equivalent of duct-tape to gag Dot after they capture her.

* One book of the Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse mentioned the universe-wide joke that everything was held together with space tape, from starfighters to the Imperial Palace on Coruscant.
** Duct tape ''is'' The Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
*** Series/TheRedGreenShow, perhaps?

* In the ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' novel ''[[Literature/TheCallistaTrilogy Children of the Jedi]]'', Luke uses engine tape (duct tape [-InSpace-] by description) as a makeshift bandage for his badly broken leg. This was apparently a common practice by the Rebellion due to supply shortages.

In Britain, it can be confused with "gaffer[[note]] also an informal term for a manager or foreman, make of that what you will[[/note]] tape", which is a closely-related product that is more widely known in Britain -- to the point where a lot of the virtues of duct tape are often spoken of by practically-minded Brits as being the virtues of gaffer tape. Gaffer tape differs from duct tape in the composition of both the backing (gaffer tape is made from fabric as opposed to vinyl or other plastics) and the adhesive (gaffer tape is easier to remove without damaging the surface to which it is adhered). As a result, "gaff" is used a lot in the entertainment industry; using duct tape on a film or theatre set where you should have used gaff ''will'' get you yelled at by the crew.

This trope is about the versatility, ubiquitousness, and downright ''usefulness'' of the substance known as "duct tape". A plastic adhesive tape, usually black, grey or silver in color, originally created to seal ammunition boxes in World War II, but whose usefulness is apparent to anybody who's ever had breakage of ''any'' kind that has to be temporarily held together. It is the first cousin to, but distinct from, gaffer tape, which is less adhesive and designed to be removable. A military version also exists, known as hundred-mile-an-hour tape in the US, which is even stronger and ''more'' adhesive than duct tape, and typically comes in some shade of green or brown.

The etymology of the word and whether it originated as "duck" tape is unclear, though the best bet is that it was first made out of a type of waterproof canvas called "duck". There IS a brand of duct tape called Duck Tape, but it's relatively new, and so named to deliberately capitalize on the joke. Not to be confused with Scotch Tape, although JustForFun/{{egregious}} use of duct tape can function as {{Handwav|e}}ium. International names include "silver tape" in Latin America, "gum tape" (''gamu teepu'') in Japan, "roadie tape" and "Jesus tape" (because it performs miracles) in Finland, "American tape" in Spain and Italy, "Panzertape" (armor tape/tank tape) in Germany (military grade, green), and "weave tape" or "silver tape" in Sweden, blue "isolenta" ("insulation tape") in Russia. In Britain, it can be confused with "gaffer[[note]]Also an informal term for an old man or a foreman, make of that what you will[[/note]] tape" which differs in the composition of both the backing (gaffer tape 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 is adhered. As a result, "gaff" is used a lot in the entertainment industry; using duct tape on a film or theatre set where you should have used gaff ''will'' get you yelled at by the crew.

The etymology of the word and whether it originated as "duck" tape is unclear, though the best bet is that it was first made out of a type of waterproof canvas called "duck". There IS a brand of duct tape called Duck Tape, but it's relatively new, and so named to deliberately capitalize on the joke. Not to be confused with Scotch Tape, although JustForFun/{{egregious}} use of duct tape can function as {{Handwav|e}}ium. International names include "silver tape" in Latin America, "gum tape" (''gamu teepu'') in Japan, "roadie tape" and "Jesus tape" (because it performs miracles) in Finland, "American tape" in Spain and Italy, "Panzertape" (armor tape/tank tape) in Germany (military grade, green), and "weave tape" or "silver tape" in Sweden, blue "isolenta" ("insulation tape") in Russia. In Britain, it can be confused with "gaffer[[note]]Also an informal term for an old man or a foreman, make of that what you will[[/note]] tape" which differs in the composition of both the backing; gaffer tape 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. As a result, "gaff" is used a lot in the entertainment industry; using duct tape on a film or theatre set where you should have used gaff ''will'' get you yelled at by crew.

The etymology of the word and whether it originated as "duck" tape is unclear, though the best bet is that it was first made out of a type of waterproof canvas called "duck". There IS a brand of duct tape called Duck Tape, but it's relatively new, and so named to deliberately capitalize on the joke. Not to be confused with Scotch Tape, although JustForFun/{{egregious}} use of duct tape can function as {{Handwav|e}}ium. International names include "silver tape" in Latin America, "gum tape" (''gamu teepu'') in Japan, "roadie tape" and "Jesus tape" (because it performs miracles) in Finland, "American tape" in Spain and Italy, "Panzertape" (armor tape/tank tape) in Germany (military grade, green), and "weave tape" or "silver tape" in Sweden, blue "isolenta" ("insulation tape") in Russia. In Britain, it may be called "gaffer[[note]]Also an informal term for an old man or a foreman, make of that what you will[[/note]] tape" and is marketed as such -- although in the entertainment industry, "gaff" is also a lighter, matte-coloured tape that is designed to come up again cleanly without leaving sticky residue on cables or paint. Using duct tape on a film or theatre set where you should have used gaff ''will'' get you yelled at by crew.

* In ''Chindi'', Literature/PriscillaHutchins uses "ram tape" (apparently a future version) to seal a DistressedDude in a washroom as his spaceship disintegrates around him (his spacesuit is in an inaccessable area of the ship). The washroom is then towed by Hutch and the others (who are wearing spacesuits) back to their own spaceship.

The etymology of the word and whether it originated as "duck" tape is unclear, though the best bet is that it was first made out of a type of waterproof canvas called "duck". There IS a brand of duct tape called Duck Tape, but it's relatively new, and so named to deliberately capitalize on the joke. Not to be confused with Scotch Tape, although JustForFun/{{egregious}} use of duct tape can function as {{Handwav|e}}ium. International names include "silver tape" in Latin America, "gum tape" (''gamu teepu'') in Japan, "roadie tape" and "Jesus tape" (because it performs miracles) in Finland, "American tape" in Spain and Italy, "Panzertape" (armor tape/tank tape) in Germany (military grade, green), and "weave tape" or "silver tape" in Sweden, blue "isolenta" ("insulation tape") in Russia. In England, it may be (mistakenly) called "gaffer[[note]]Also an informal term for an old man or a foreman, make of that what you will[[/note]] tape" - "gaff", used in the entertainment industry, is matte-colored and designed to come up again cleanly without leaving sticky residue on cables or paint. Using duct tape in film or theatre where you should have used gaffa ''will'' get you yelled at by crew.

* In ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'', Pronto the demo expert [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2003-04-02 loves using duct-tape]]. A foot-note also mentions that, out of common jury-rigging materials, "Duct Tape has actually seen the most change during the intervening centuries. For instance, it can now safely be used to fasten and seal duct-work. Just be sure to lose the handy-dandy spool with the built-in tape cutter before it trims the tape just above your first knuckle."

* Having his dad's chair in the living room is made even worse for ''Series/{{Frasier}}'' because his dad uses duct tape to patch up any damage to said the chair.

* ''WebVideo/Jontron'': Joked about in Jon's review of "Flex Tape".

* Made a joke of by the ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'', when Jamie proposed attaching microphones to the necks of actual living ducks with ...what else?
** Although that one was an aversion: they put velcro-strip collars on the ducks instead.

** They did ''another'' Duct Tape hour, where they made a rope bridge out of the stuff, put a torn apart car back together (and it still worked), and did the old trick of using duct tape to stick a car to a pole - the ''engine'' gave out before the tape did in both experiments. However, duct tape ''can't'' stop a 60 MPH car... well it ''could'', if you used enough of it, but it would take a ''lot'' of tape and the work of several ''days'' to do that. Note that it does take them several tries to get this last result because the duct tape wall keeps holding tight while the anchoring points on the concrete weights keep ripping off. It's only once the anchors finally hold on that the wall gives way.

** The build team outdo themselves ''again'' by first fixing a grizzly bear mauled plane with Duct Tape to the point it can fly. Then ''made a functioning plane out of duct tape!''
** They've done a '''third''' hour-long episode, this time with duct tape as the only tool Adam and Jamie are allowed to use to escape from a DesertedIsland. They make a number of interesting objects, including sandals, a waterskin, a spear and net for hunting, a chess set, hammocks, and a duct tape version of Adam's trademark fedora. Oh, and an outrigger boat to escape from the island.
** Towards the end of the Duct Tape Island episode, Jamie basically summed the trope up with this:

* "Gaffer tape can mend anything but a broken heart," and in response: "You can fix anything with either red roses or duct tape."
* A Hallmark card for a father's birthday says, "Dad, because of you, I learned the essential things in life. Duct tape and WD-40. Happy birthday."
* Duct Tape can fix everything. Even torn Duct Tape.

* ''Series/BurnNotice'' loves this trope. In the pilot episode, Michael comments that it's "better to fight your wars with duct tape" because "duct tape makes you smart." Since then, we've seen a duct tape pulled out a few times. When Agent Bly destroys Michael's favorite chair, we later see him fixing it up with a roll of duct tape. Then, in the season 2 finale, in the middle of a car chase, Michael pulls a roll of duct tape out of his glove compartment.

* Made a joke of by the ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'', when Jamie proposed attaching microphones to the necks of actual living ducks with ... what else?

** And later they made an entire hour about its many uses. Including, lifting a car, patching a leaky boat, making a boat, sealing a potato gun, and finally ''making a fully functional cannon''.
** And they did ANOTHER Duct Tape hour, where they made a rope bridge out of the stuff, put a torn apart car back together(and it still worked), and did the old trick of using duct tape to stick a car to a pole - the ''engine'' gave out before the tape did in both experiments. However, duct tape CAN'T stop a 60 MPH car...well it ''could'', if you used enough of it, but it would take a ''lot'' of tape and the work of several ''days'' to do that.
*** It did take them several tries to get this result because the duct tape wall held tight while the anchoring points on the concrete weights kept ripping off. It's only once the anchors finally held on that the wall gave way.
** Adam also stated that if they chose too, they could do an entire season with nothing but duct tape.
** The build team outdid themselves ''again'' by first fixing a grizzly bear mauled plane with Duct Tape to the point it could fly. Then ''made a functioning plane out of duct tape!''
** And they've done a '''third''' hour-long episode, this time with duct tape as the only tool Adam and Jamie are allowed to use to escape from a DesertedIsland. They make a number of interesting objects, including sandals, a waterskin, a spear and net for hunting, a chess set, hammocks, and a duct tape version of Adam's trademark fedora. Oh, and an outrigger boat to escape from the island.

-->"We’ve found that duct tape is not a perfect solution for anything. But with a little creativity, in a pinch, it’s an adequate solution for just about everything."

** And then they did ''another'' duct tape survival hour, this time the situation being a broken-down car in the middle of the desert, and they have to traverse the Grand Canyon[[note]]Actually, a canyon in Utah, with the final segment taking place on a river in California's Central Valley[[/note]]. This time, they also had a great deal of bubble wrap to help them out.