Glue stick 3203711 225415066 2008-07-13T15:47:54Z Shanes 94147 rv to PMDrive1061 [[Image:Pritt stick on white background.jpg|thumb|right|A Pritt Stick brand glue stick. (UK version)]] '''Glue sticks''' are solid [[adhesives]] in twist or push-up tubes. The user can apply [[glue]] by holding the open tube, thus keeping their fingers clean. Because of their ease of use, and their economic value, glue sticks are a popular school and office supply. ==Applications== Glue sticks are only designed to glue paper and card together, as glue sticks are not as strong as some liquid based variants. They can be used for craft and design, office use and at school. There are now permanent, washable, acid-free, non-toxic, solvent free, and dyed (e.g. to see where the glue is being applied easier) varieties - glue sticks can have one or more of these features incorporated into them. The manufacturers recommend replacing the cap after use, and advise that, due to small parts (the cap), children under the age of three should not use it, though the glue is non-toxic so use with children over three is safe. ==Brands== [[Image:IMG 0219.JPG|thumb|75px|right|A Power Pritt brand glue stick.]] In 1969 the German company [[Henkel]] invented the glue stick after studying the "twist-up ease" and convenience of [[lipstick]] applicators. The product was released under the '''Pritt Stick''' brand. By 1971 the Pritt Stick was being sold in 38 countries, by 2001 in 121. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prittworld.com/about-pritt/pritt-history.html|title=Pritt History|accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> The first solvent free multi-purpose glue stick that could be used for other materials (e.g. wood, glass and some plastics) was the "PowerPritt", which was put on the market in 2003. Glue sticks are made by many brands and each may have different features to it. Various brands, like [[UHU]], and [[Snopake]] make glue sticks. Generic brands manufacture glue sticks as well, utilising the twist action. ==Sizes== Glue sticks can come in many sizes, the most common being 10g, 20g and 40g. Glue sticks can be of any weight, but for the twist-up action to work, the tube has to be cylindrical. ==In popular culture== Used in schools and creative environments where children and toddlers are present, glue sticks have become a stereotype of young education. The product was used in a sketch for the UK comedy show [[Little Britain]], being sniffed by stereotypical [[chav]] character [[Vicky Pollard]], as a spoof on [[Inhalant|sniffing glue]] (Nearly all glue sticks on the market do not contain solvents, making sniffing ineffectual). In the [[UK]] and [[Ireland]], Pritt Stick has become a generic term used by the public to refer to any type of glue stick, although both terms are common. Kate Nash's album [[Made of Bricks]] contains a song called "Mariella" wherein the title character of the song sticks her lips together with a Pritt Stick. ==References== <references/> [[Category:Adhesives]] [[Category:Brand name materials]] [[Category:Henkel brands]] [[de:Klebestift]] [[ja:スティックのり]] [[nl:Prittstift]]