Scientists crack the case of "screeching" Scotch tape
Ars Technica
by
Jennifer Ouellette
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Scientists have uncovered the fascinating reason behind the screeching sound produced when rapidly peeling Scotch tape. According to a study published in *Physical Review E*, this noise arises from supersonic micro-cracks traveling along the tape, generating shock waves and sound pulses. This discovery sheds light on the physics of materials under stress and could have implications for understanding similar phenomena in other materials.
The history of Scotch tape is tied to its inventor, Richard Drew, who developed the first transparent adhesive tape in 1930. Drew created it to solve a problem in car manufacturing, where adhesives used for two-color paint jobs often peeled off the paint. He found a sandpaper-based adhesive with the perfect balance of stickiness and used it to coat cellophane tape. This innovation became a household staple during the Great Depression, as consumers repurposed it for repairs instead of replacing damaged items.
The screeching sound isn’t the only surprising feature of Scotch tape. In 1939
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 2/24/2026