I know what you may be thinking. Who in their right mind would say that duct tape is the ultimate technology when there are so many devices like smartphones and computers to compete with? I feel like I am starting to sound more and more like Wendell Berry but I am going to try to convince you that duct tape is in fact the ultimate technology. I was reminded of the many wonderful uses of duct tape as I was watching an episode of Mythbusters called “Duct Tape Island.” In the episode, the Mythbusters were stranded on a desert island with nothing but a pallet load of duct tape.
To survive, the Mythbusters were tasked with using the duct tape to collect fresh water through the construction of a desalination operation and by making canteens to collect water from a waterfall. The guys also made an SOS sign on the beach with duct tape and created hammocks with roofs for shelter. To collect food, one of the Mythbusters used duct tape to lash together a fishing spear and made rope out of duct tape to connect to the end of the spear for retrieval. The other Mythbuster made a net out of duct tape which he used to catch a wild chicken. Last but not least, the most impressive feat completed using only duct tape and bamboo found on the island was to make a full-size canoe with an outrigger pontoon to sail away from the island. The boat proved to be seaworthy and survived seven hours on the water with no leaks to speak of.
After seeing the episode, I began to see the many things accomplished with duct tape as further justification of Wendell Berry’s belief that simplicity and ease of use often results in the best technology. You can not get much simpler than using a combination of cloth mesh and adhesive to collect fresh water and food, provide shelter, signal for help, and ride the ocean waves with ease. I hope you can now see that duct tape is in fact the ultimate technology.