the "duct" in duct tape is easy to figure out, but what does "gaffer" in gaffer tape mean?

A Gaffer is the lighting tech for film and theater. Gaffer's tape is used to secure the many electrical floor cables so that all the Sir Lawrence Olivier's don't break their necks while reciting King Henry's speech before fighting the French.

Ha ha!! thanks chris.

"gaff tape" is a really remarcable product: comes in rolls of about 2" wide, is extremely flexible, adheres very well to almost any surface and what is more important, after peeling it off ( from cables, TABLE LEGS,etc), it leaves almost no residue - A must for sound and light techs,and also for anyone who wants a truly reliable and tough adhesive tape.

yup, I am also a live sound engineer...

happy holidays to all
dBu 24

coming from a theatre back ground myself i've allways called it gaffer. never heard the duct tape name untill I came on this site. every one I know calls it gaffer as well.
so were does the "duct" idea come from?

-james

To repair ducts in the ventilation system...

So why does Samwise Gamgee call his father his "gaffer"??? <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Where I come from (Scotland) gaffer is also a word for boss or supervisor. Probably used like that across the UK.

Justin

aha!
I see now...

Americans love duct tape. Somehow back home (Poland) when I was little I remember all the craftsmen saying that things have to be done right and once only. Any type of tape was considered tmeporary fix up therfore totally unacceptable. But since I grew up here watching McGuyver shows I strongly belive that nuclear leaks can be stopped with a candy bar, duct tape and Swiss army knife.

Matt