Blu Tack, the blue putty-like adhesive found in most UK households, owes its distinctive colour to an accidental invention and a clever marketing decision. The product, first created in 1969 at a Bostik factory in Leicester, was originally white but was dyed blue to stop children from confusing it with chewing gum.
A Failed Sealant Becomes a Staple
Annabel Port, founder of TikTok's 'Other British Museum', explained in a video that an unknown Bostik worker was trying to develop a new bathroom sealant when the experiment went wrong. Instead of a usable sealant, the worker ended up with a "big, slightly sticky, white glob" that seemed useless.
However, co-workers soon found the substance handy for sticking notes to surfaces—this was before the invention of Post-it notes. The habit caught the attention of a Bostik executive, who saw potential in selling the glob as an alternative to drawing pins.
The Colour Change Decision
"There was only one big worry," Port said. "Children would see this white, slightly sticky stuff and think it was chewing gum." To address this, the company made the product blue. "They didn't have Hubba Bubba Sour Blue Raspberry back then!" Port added. Thus, Blu Tack was born, which she described as an "unsung hero of Britain".
Public Reaction and Legacy
The story resonated on social media. One TikTok user commented: "Almost 35 years on this earth, born in Leicester not knowing Blu tack was invented here." Another said: "Makes sense, there's very little blue food. And not much blue in nature. Nice colour though." A third user added: "I never realised this came from my home town!"
Bostik now celebrates Blu Tack as a heritage brand, stating on its website: "The initial reaction was poor due to the lack of awareness of the product's potential uses. Through TV advertising and word of mouth, the product quickly entered the growth phase of its life cycle." The company describes it as "more than a product" and an example of their philosophy of creating smart, multi-functional adhesives.
