I recently started using Gorilla Glue brand super glue on my perennially split thumbnail. Dissatisfied with the results of nail glues, I thought, “Why not?”
Of course, gluing the thumbnail of my dominant hand meant I couldn’t treat it as I would the food processor handle or jewelry repair, but worth a try.
To my disappointment, Gorilla Glue doesn’t hold much longer than nail glue under these circumstances. On the other hand, it doesn’t dry shiny and is thus less noticeable, so it’s now my preferred choice.
Super Glue History
I know a gazillion bits of random info, for example that Post-It notes were created to be a bookmark that could stick and re-stick without damage. Another such bit of information was that super glue was created during the Viet Nam War for closing wounds. As it turns out, I was right about Post-Its but wrong about super glue.
Super glue, or cyanoacrylate adhesive, was discovered in 1942 by Dr. Harry Coover Jr while searching for clear plastic materials for gun sights during WWII; it was a failure because it stuck to everything it touched, including the equipment, test materials, and fingers.
In 1958, while working as an Eastman Kodak researcher, Coover (along with Fred Joyner) recognized its commercial potential and began marketing it to consumers as “Super Glue,” a name that became synonymous with fast-acting adhesives. It’s incredibly useful in industrial and home use for bonding a huge array of materials including plastic, metal, wood, ceramics, and skin.
So how did the Vietnam War get into my brain scramble? During the Vietnam War, spray-form super glue was used as a temporary fix to seal wounds and stabilize injured soldiers before further treatment. At that time, it did not yet have FDA approval for medical use.
Super Glue Uses
I don’t know how many other people use cyanoacrylate adhesive on human nails, but uses abound—some more, some less expected. Here are a few of mine.
- Fix a model or figurine. My carved wooden Santas have been beneficiaries.
- Repair accessories. For example, I’ve used it to fix hair clips and to stick a black onyx stone back in its silver setting.
- Shoe repair. I’ve used Gorilla Glue to re-glue loose shoe soles.
- Stabilize a loose screw.
- Stabilize a door latch plate.
- Automotive repairs. I’ve reattached the plastic back that came off my car’s driver’s side mirror.
If you do an online search, you’ll find many lists of uses, from forensic to veterinary. The adhesive market is competitive and diverse, with brands catering to different applications and industries. If you have a particular need—say, to glue plastic—you can find recommendations.
The Chicago Tribune rated the Best Super Glues of 2025. The top three were Gorilla Glue (Best of the Best), Super Glue (Best for the Buck), and Loctite (fastest drying).
Bottom Line: In my opinion, super glue is a household must-have.