GUMMED PAPER

                                     Gummed paper was one of Thomas Alva Edison's discoveries, however, that he didn't work hard on at all. This is what happened. He had noticed that when he wanted to glue two pieces of paper together, he always got some glue on his hands; and it was unpleasant. So he told an assistant to try leaving a strip of glue on some paper, then wet it slightly at a later time, It worked. the moisture activated the adhesive and the two pieces of paper struck together. Today postage stamps and envelopes use Edison's idea. All we need is a quick tongue to dampen the adhesive. No Sticky fingers.