![]() Such a simple device for keeping track of ones schedules, to do lists, ideas or reminders. In other words, without Silver’s “accident” discovery and Fry’s persistence to create his “bookmarks,” we probably would still be without the sticky note in the office.A Post-It note, a three by three inch sheet of paper that often holds important content that would be forgotten without its presence. Sticky notes are now used for large-scale art installations, they’re used for business networking games and brainstorming, and they’re still in-demand in offices around the world. Post-it Notes have only been available since 1980, but in just over three decades, they’ve achieved international stardom. That’s why custom Post-it Notes make great promotional gifts and they’re widely used for marketing purposes. Pads can be shaped in just about any shape – from a schoolhouse, to a golf ball and everything in between – and they’re commonly printed with fully personalized business messages. Plus, sticky notes are now fully customizable. They can be purchased in more than 25 shapes and 60+ colors. They’re no longer available in just one color. Since the launch of the original yellow sticky notes in 1980, Post-it Notes have evolved greatly. More Surprising Facts About Post-it Notes Since then, Post-it Notes have become a nearly universally known office supply item, and today, 3M produces and sells more than 50 billion individual notes per year. The result: More than 90 percent of offices that received a free sample re-ordered them.ģM released Post-it Notes nationally in 1980, and expanded distribution into Canada and Europe the next year. To re-launch the product, 3M gave free samples to offices throughout the Boise, Idaho Metro Area. Yet, in 1979, 3M re-marketed the Press ‘n Peel notes as Post-it Notes. Customers just didn’t know what to do with this new product, and eventually, 3M decided to pull them off shelves. At the time, they were called “Press ‘n Peel” notes, and sales were discouraging. The signature Post-it Note yellow of today can be traced back to this “accident.” From Sluggish Sales to International Office Supply ItemĪfter developing the product, 3M released the Post-it Note during a 1977 test run in four cities in the U.S. When Fry and his team began developing the product, they could only find yellow scraps of paper to experiment with. Yet, still, one more accident would help shape the future of the Post-it Note. That’s when Fry remembered the adhesive invention of his colleague, and he had an “aha moment.” The adhesive would be perfect, he thought, and Fry then started developing the notes using Silver’s adhesive for 3M. He dreamt up a bookmark that could stick to the pages, but that could also be easily removed without damaging the paper. He kept losing his place in the hymnal books at church. In 1974, another 3M researcher and chemist, Art Fry had a problem. Initially, 3M couldn’t find a use for Silver’s invention, and it wasn’t until six years later that the adhesive was put to practical use. The ‘Aha Moment’ that Led to the Invention of the Post-it Noteīut the story of the Post-it Note doesn’t end there. The glue also kept its stickiness when applied with pressure and was reusable. ![]() He created a weak adhesive that could be removed easily without leaving behind a residue. Silver had the job of developing adhesives for 3M, and although his mission was to create a stronger, more reliable adhesive for the aerospace industry, Silver ended up with something that wasn’t that. The story of the Post-it Note starts in 1968. If it wasn’t for a simple mistake made by 3M researcher Spencer Silver, the Post-it Note might not be used in more than 150 countries today. Here’s a little fact about those sticky notes that might shock you though: They were invented by accident. Post-it Notes are one of the world’s favorite office supplies. Please include attribution to with this graphic. ![]()
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