Sign of the times, sighted on the web:

Due to the heightened demand and accelerated sales of duct tape as a result of the Department of Homeland Security's recommendation to keep duct tape on-hand in preparing for a biological attack, Henkel Consumer Adhesives has increased duct tape production by 40%.

When last we discussed duct tape here, it was because someone discovered that it can be used to remove warts. Now, duct tape has become positively famous.

I'm with the people who say that by the time you realize a bioterror attack has happened, it's pretty much too late to duct-tape the vents and put up plastic sheeting.

But fear not, all you purchasers of duct tape: If, as we all hope, it turns out you don't need duct tape to fend off anthrax and smallpox, it looks like you can use this stuff to do just about anything (except maybe this and this):

• Here's a handy primer (you have to scroll down a little to get to it) on duct tape, including a list of books about it (examples: Duct Shui, the ancient art of finding balance and happiness using duct tape; Ductigami, the art of using Duct Tape as art).
• The Duct Tape Guys offer a free Brainstorming and Creative Thinking Curriculum using duct tape.
• Finally, here's a slide show of photos from the annual Duct-Tape Ball, held in Anchorage, Alaska.