Did you know that it was originally a band aid for combat situations?

Also that nowadays the industry massively prefers gaffer tape cause it can be removed without leaving a mess.

Well, the original-original duck tape, which wasn’t a sticky tape, was recommended and used a lot in construction (and shoes, and fashion) back at the turn of the last century. Duck tape, the original sticky and somewhat waterproof version, was used by the military for quick repairs during WWII. Afterwards it was often sold in stores for quick home repairs.

But yes, especially these days and for long-term repairs, there are better options.

From Wikipedia:

The first material called "duck tape" was long strips of plain non-adhesive cotton duck cloth used in making shoes stronger, for decoration on clothing, and for wrapping steel cables or electrical conductors to protect them from corrosion or wear. For instance, in 1902, steel cables supporting the Manhattan Bridge were first covered in linseed oil then wrapped in duck tape before being laid in place.