Vesta Stoudt facts for kids

Vesta Oral Stoudt (born April 13, 1891 – died May 9, 1966) was an amazing woman. She came up with the brilliant idea for duct tape. This invention helped soldiers during World War II and is still super useful today!

Early Life of Vesta Stoudt

Vesta Oral Wildman was born on April 13, 1891. Her hometown was Prophetstown, Illinois, in the state of Illinois. She was one of five sisters. Her parents were Gertrude Caroline (Johnson) and Ulyses Simpson Grant Wildman.

How Duct Tape Was Invented

Vesta's Job During Wartime

During World War II, Vesta Stoudt worked at a factory. It was called the Green River Ordnance Plant in Dixon, Illinois. Her job was to pack ammunition boxes. These boxes held important supplies for soldiers.

The Problem with Ammunition Boxes

Vesta noticed a big problem. The way the ammunition boxes were sealed made them very hard to open. Soldiers needed to get to their supplies quickly. But the current sealing method wasted precious time. She knew there had to be a better way.

Vesta's Smart Idea

Vesta had a clever solution. She thought of using a special kind of tape. This tape would be waterproof and easy to tear. She even made and tested her own version at work! She showed her bosses, but they didn't make the change.

Writing to President Roosevelt

Vesta didn't give up. On February 10, 1943, she wrote a letter. She sent it directly to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In her letter, she explained the problem. She also shared her amazing idea for the new tape.

I suggested we use a strong cloth tape to close seams, and make tab of same. It worked fine, I showed it to different government inspectors they said it was all right, but I could never get them to change tape.

—Vesta Stoudt to President Roosevelt, February 10, 1943

The President's Approval

President Roosevelt thought Vesta's idea was excellent! He sent her letter to the War Production Board. This group helped manage supplies for the war. They quickly wrote back to Vesta.

The Ordnance Department has not only pressed this idea...but has now informed us that the change you have recommended has been approved with the comment that the idea is of exceptional merit.

—War Production Board's Ordnance Department to Vesta Stoudt, March 26, 1943,

Duct Tape Becomes Real

The War Production Board asked a company to create the tape. The company was called the Revolite Corporation. They developed the waterproof, tearable cloth tape. This tape is what we now know as duct tape! Vesta's persistence paid off. She even received the Chicago Tribune's War Worker Award for her great idea.

Vesta's Family Life

Vesta Wildman married Harry Issac Stoudt. They got married on October 19, 1910, in Morgan, Illinois. Vesta and Harry had eight children together. Vesta Stoudt passed away on May 9, 1966. She was 75 years old. She died in Prophetstown, Illinois, after a long illness. She was survived by five of her children, twenty grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.