History of Glue

There is no doubt that the invention of glue has made lives easier. Usage of glue as an adhesive is one of the methods that has been used since prehistoric times. Archaeological excavations have revealed stone tools with traces of glue made from birch bark tar used by Neanderthals. In this blog, let’s discuss the “glue history” and how the substance has evolved over the years.

The existence of glue-like substances could be traced back to even before human beings started to evolve. Talking about evolution, do you think humans evolved from monkeys?

Glue History Timeline

When the preserved body of Otzi, the Iceman, supposedly 5,200 years old, was discovered along with his belongings like arrows and hatchets, archaeologists found traces of organic glue. This could be considered the origin and the earliest use of glue by our human ancestors.

What Was Glue Originally Made Of?

Do you have the question, “When was glue first introduced?” in mind? The glue used by the ancient Greeks and Romans was made out of grain, milk, cheese, beeswax, tar, egg whites, bone, and blood. This glue was used for carpentry, repairing pottery, and other purposes. The history of glue is a long one, and its ingredients are many and varied. The adhesive has evolved in leaps and bounds over the centuries.

Super Glue 

Super Glue is a type of glue that binds surfaces faster when compared to other types of glue. Do you know that the original Super Glue was invented by accident? Dr. Harry Coover invented it in 1942 while working with chemicals during WWII. You now have the answer to your question, “Who first invented glue?” Talking about inventions, do you know the 5 ridiculously useless inventions?

These days, this Super Glue has turned out to be an indispensable thing in every household. The earlier types of Super Glue had the capability to bind a car to a crane! 

Now, you must have an idea about Super Glue history.

Super Glue and Baking Soda

When you add super glue to baking soda, the latter acts as an accelerant or catalyst. The baking soda makes the glue hard. You can use this hardened glue to seal gaps and also plug holes. The combination of super glue and baking soda creates a strong bond, which can be used to repair ceramics, plastic, wood, etc. This is what you need to know about super glue and baking soda.

Removing Super Glue

Removing super glue from different materials depends entirely on the nature or characteristics of the material. If you accidentally get super glue on fingers, it might be a bit difficult to get rid of it! But there is nothing to worry about! Just use some acetone or nail polish remover on your fingers. You can easily get rid of the glue from your skin this way.

Cyanoacrylate Glue

Cyanoacrylate glue is the industrial name for super glue. Super glue is also known as “crazy glue.” Cyanoacrylate, in general, is the name given to quick-bonding super glues. Usually, the traditional adhesives are water-based. But cyanoacrylate glue contains an acrylic resin. 

Types of Glue

Glue is made out of several substances, which have evolved from time to time.

• Tar-based glue, made from tree bark, is used to make decorative objects and also to haft tools.
• Animal glue, which was made (in the olden days) from animal tissues, was used in furniture making and to preserve paintings and frames. Animal glue originated in China and was also widely used in several other parts of Asia.
• Egg-based glue is known for its strong adhesive properties, with the egg white being albumin. Egg-based glue becomes waterproof once it dries down. Apart from providing us with nutritional benefits, eggs also serve to be the ingredients of several other products, don’t they? If you are an egg lover, take a look at brown vs white eggs.
• However, egg-based glue might not be liked by vegans, which takes us to the moniker, “vegan glue.” Today, many shops sell vegan glue, which is liked and used on a daily basis by lots of vegans.
• Fish glue was made from the skin and bones of fish and was used in ancient Egypt for repairing and manufacturing shoes, furniture, and for the purpose of preservation.
• Rubber-based glue was discovered in 1830 and is widely used in the manufacturing of shoes, ceramic objects, and carpentry.
• Have you heard of horse glue? Collagen is a substance that is obtained from animal parts, such as horse bones and hooves. And, glue is prepared from this collagen. The practice of obtaining glue from animal parts has been going on for years. So, the glue made from horses is being used by many people, just like any ordinary glue. But it is another type of glue that vegans don’t prefer to use!
• Synthetic glue is manufactured from synthetic resins and rubber. This type of glue is manufactured without incorporating any animal products.

Hope this blog helps you in gaining some knowledge about glue history. Please check out the Quiz on this page to test your understanding.