USA, Texas

There is a common misconception that the great people

of Scotland invented Scotch Tape. Though the Scots

have many things for which they are rightly proud this

cannot be one of them. Glue and all the various forms

of tape that followed owe their inspiration to ancient

Texans. When the Mayans, Inca, and Aztecs were

building cities of stones the ancient Texans first

noticed the thin, sticky film covering their bodies.

Each summer when the temperature and humidity soared

the Texans would collect this film into stone

containers so that it could be used as a super

adhesive.

On my recent journey to Dallas I enjoyed a lesson in

anthropology. The Texan summer bestowed on me this

same gift of maddeningly sticky skin. At last I

understood the tremendous pride that the people of

this land feel for their history and culture. Texan

pride does not come from men in high-heels (cowboy

boots) and women with big hair. Texan pride comes from

their tradition of climate inspired invention and

ingenuity.

Every user of Scotch Tape, Super Glue and Sticky Pads

owes the Texans a debt of gratitude. The next time

that you see a man in high-heels, skintight jeans

using a hubcap for a belt buckle don’t forget to thank

him.