Where Does Scotch Tape Come From?
Scotch tape is a thick, sticky tape that has been used around the world for years.
It was invented by an American named Richard Drew in the 1920s.
Drew worked for a company called the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M).
Part of his job was testing products at garages修車廠.
While he was working at the garages, he noticed a problem.
The garage workers couldn't separate colors when they painted designs on cars.
Drew had a light bulb moment! 靈光一現
He thought of using a special tape that painters could put on the cars, paint over, and take away.
This way, the designs would be accurate.
Drew faced some problems when his tape was tested.
Some car workers said the tape wasn't sticky enough.
One worker threw it at him and told him to take it to Scotland.
Americans back then thought Scottish people were stingy, so they called things "Scotch" if they seemed cheap.
This is how Drew's invention got the name "Scotch tape."
字彙小補帖
manufacturing （n.）製造業
stingy（adj.）小氣的;吝嗇的
invention（n.）發明(物)
pot sticker 鍋貼
Potstickers are steamed and fried dumplings filled with chopped, seasoned vegetables and meats. They are a delicious treat.
Where Does Scotch Tape Come From?
The name Scotch caught on, and was soon used as the official name for the product.
Drew continued to improve his tape.
He came up with an idea to make it both waterproof and transparent.
He released that new type in 1930.
Drew's new product would soon become very important during a tough time.
When it was released, the United States was entering the Great Depression.
Many people were very poor and nobody knew when the hard times would end.
People had no money to hire others to fix things.
Instead, they used Drew's Scotch tape.
People used it to mend修補clothes, curtains, and many other things.
Drew's product became nationally famous, and soon everybody knew about Scotch tape.
People who lived during the Great Depression had a saying: "Mend and make do修修補補、湊合著用."
Why would you replace something broken, when you can repair it with just a roll of Scotch tape?
字小補帖:僅供參考
waterproof（adj.）防水的
transparent（adj.）透明的
tough（adj.）困難的;艱難的
vacuum cleaner 吸塵器
