Paper towels are a product that nearly everyone is familiar with. They’re convenient: all you do is reach for a roll, give it a tug, and rip off a sheet to handle a spill, wipe a counter, or grab a quick snack. They are simple, everyday products that many of us do not think twice about. But what if we told you there was a fascinating story of engineering and sticky science behind the manufacturing of paper towels? From those perfectly perforated lines to the adhesives that keep it all together, the paper towel is a lot more complex than it seems.

For many, paper towels have become a ‘can’t live without them’ item. From kitchens to bathrooms, you could probably find a roll of paper towels in almost every home in America. But how did they become so indispensable?

When grabbing a paper towel or tissue, have you ever noticed that you are able to pull the layers of it apart? Believe it or not, glue plays a major role in holding these thin layers of absorbent paper together.