VT / Prusik Terminology

In another thread, I started to derail with a question based on something said ratagonia said, wanted to move the conversation:

I've wondered about this myself... Any idea how the cordage came to be called a VT? Seems unique to canyoneering, though the same thing has happened in rock climbing with the equipment taking the name of the usage / knot most commonly tied with it. ("prusik" , "autoblock")

For what it's worth, in arboriculture it's usually a "hitch cord" or "friction hitch cord" - probably because there's such a wide array of hitches in use. Feel free to borrow the terminology.

@hank moon brought up the Bluewater "VT Prusik" product - is that where it comes from?

Rich Carlson developed the VT prusik (product) with Bluewater, specifically to be used for the Valdotain Tresse knot, for canyoneering and general rope rescue applications.

Tom