We’ve all experienced the frustration—circling a roll of sticky tape over and over, desperately searching for the elusive end. But now, a seemingly impossible problem has been solved with an astonishingly simple invention, thanks to the ingenuity of a Nottingham dad.

Dr Rajan Bhojwani, a 48-year-old consultant ophthalmic surgeon, has created an ingenious solution to this everyday annoyance. His invention, SeeTheTape, involves wrapping sticky tape around a dark-coloured cardboard core instead of the conventional white one. This subtle change makes finding the tape’s end effortless, even for those with limited vision.

Rajan, a father of two, was inspired by a technique he regularly employs in his work as an eye surgeon. The method, known as scleral scatter, allows him to detect tiny scratches on the eye by using reflected light against the dark background of the pupil. He realised that the same principle could be applied to sticky tape—by mounting the tape on a dark roll, the end becomes instantly visible, eliminating the need for frustrating searches.

The idea first took root while he was watching The Worst Witch with his children, Laranya, 13, and Pranaya, 9. A scene in the show involved a spell to find the end of sticky tape, sparking Rajan's curiosity. The concept was further reinforced during a conversation with a partially sighted patient who gifted him a Christmas present in 2019, leading to a discussion about the difficulties in finding the tape’s end.

After consulting with a patent lawyer and creating prototypes, Rajan's SeeTheTape is now available for £1.49 per roll. The product has been rigorously tested, including by partially sighted individuals, proving its effectiveness in making the tape end more visible.

Rajan proudly states, ‘This is one of the most common problems in the world—and I’ve fixed it! It’s such a simple idea but will significantly improve people’s experiences with sticky tape. For those with limited vision, who struggle even more to see the tape’s end, this will be hugely beneficial.’

Thanks to Rajan’s invention, the world no longer needs to shout in frustration while wrestling with sticky tape. What was once an everyday nuisance has been transformed into an easily manageable task, thanks to the brilliance of a dad who saw an opportunity to make a difference.