Draft:Vesta Stoudt Innovation

Career Vesta Stoudt was an American Innovator who invented Duct tape. She was born on April 13th, 1891, in Whiteside County, Illinois, into a working-class family of 8, including 5 sisters. As an adult, she worked at Green River Ordnance Plant in Illinois during World War II, a major munitions factory that played a critical role in the war effort. Her story as an innovator began when she was at Green River Ordnance Plant and noticed a critical flaw in the packaging of ammunition boxes. The thin paper tape used to seal the boxes often broke, making it difficult for soldiers to access ammunition quickly during combat. Concerned for the safety of soldiers, including her two sons serving in the Navy, Stoudt proposed replacing the paper tape with a stronger, waterproof cloth-based adhesive tape. She suggested her idea to her supervisors but was rudely dismissed. Stoudt was so passionate about her invention that she decided to send the president of the Unites States her idea. On February 10, 1943, she sent President Franklin D. Roosevelt a letter describing the problem and explaining her solution, including diagrams and images. In her letter to FDR, she claimed that instead of using paper to make the tape, it should be made of stronger fabric. In her letter, Stoudt said this to FDR: “I have two sons out there somewhere, one in the Pacific Islands, the other one with the Atlantic Fleet. You have sons in the service also. We can’t let them down by giving them a box of cartridges that takes a minute or more to open, the enemy taking their lives that could have been saved had the box been taped with a strong cloth tape that can be opened in a split second. I didn’t know who to write to Mr. President, so I have written you hoping for your boys, my boys, and every man that uses the rifle grenade, that this package of rifle cartridges may be taped with the correct tape.” Moved by her proposal, FDR sent Stoudt’s letter to the War Production Board in Washington, D.C. Within a few weeks, the War Production Board approved and implemented her recommendation and Stoudt continued her work knowing her tape idea was saving lives. Johnson & Johnson’s Revolite Corporation was tasked with manufacturing the product, a corporation specializing in pharmaceuticals and health products. The product became known as "Duct Tape" due to its waterproof nature and cotton duck fabric construction. It was later renamed "duct tape" after its postwar use in sealing heating and air conditioning ducts. Impact of Duct Tape Stoudt’s invention saved countless lives by allowing soldiers to access ammunition more efficiently under fire. It came in handy when repairs were needed for all sorts of equipment and even was pressed into use for wounds when nothing else was available. However, duct tape has had impacts beyond World War 2, as it still remains relevant today. Its various applications have made it ubiquitous in American households, whether it be for temporary repairs, organization, or even creative projects. The product is even more popular now then it was in 1943, as it has become an entire industry. The Duct Tape market was valued at approximately $4.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $8.0 billion by 2034. Personal Life Vesta Stoudt married Harry Issac Stoudt on 19 October 1910 in Morgan, Illinois. They went on to have eight children before she died of illness at the age of 75 on May 9, 1966.

Recognition Vesta Stoudt was awarded the Chicago Tribune’s War Worker Award for her ingenuity and persistence in the face of rejection. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson officially credit Stoudt as the inventor of Duct Tape, celebrating her story. Stoudt is an example of how one person can make a difference through problem solving and perseverance. No, Vesta Stoudt didn’t singlehandedly win World War 2, but she is recognized as one of many heroes of it. She gave her troupes the tools to do their job and most