The specific style of metal-backed tape that commonly is called "duct tape" - a heat resistant foil-backed tape designed for HVAC ducts - is not the archetype. The term "duct tape" has been used to describe many kinds of tape prior to the broad avaliablity of that specific style of metal foil tapes, and even today it does not mean specifically that type. We've used tape on ducts for ages, specifically that kind of duct tape is fairly modern.