Gecko tape

Muse, Nov/Dec 2003

You probably know that Velcro was inspired by sticktights, those annoying burrs you pick up in the woods. Stealing another idea from nature, scientists have made sticky tape based on the soles of gecko feet. The tape, like the soles, is covered with millions of tiny hairs. Each hair has only a little sticking power, but millions together are very sticky indeed. The scientists figure an adult wearing a gecko glove could hang from the ceiling.

Why would one want to? you ask. Science doesn't ask why, only how.