Sam wrote:
hi there, why is contact cement named this way? what is to be meant by
having contact in the name? thanks,

Sam

Sam,

Very simply contact cement (or adhesive) is a compound that will "stick"
virtually upon contact as opposed to having to wait for it to set.

An example is Evostik contact adhesive - after applying this to both
surfaces of the parts being joined, you then wait for it to go "touch" dry
and bring the two parts together and upon contact, they will immediately
"stick".

Hope this helps

Brian