Engineer Richard Drew, from Minnesota, invented sticky tape in 1930, when he worked out a way of giving adhesive qualities to cellophane (itself a new material, which gave its name to Sellotape).
The brilliance of Drew's adhesive came from its ability to stick other things together, but not get stuck to itself or leave any residue behind as it came off the roll.
It acquired another name, Scotch Tape, when a customer accused the 'stingy Scotch' proprietor of the manufacturer of not putting enough adhesive on the tape.
The company liked the insult, and decorated the tape with a tartan design; they even came up with a kilted boy, as a brand mascot.