Next in the series of invention is Post-It-Notes. I’m sure we have all used these notes to write something as students, workers, or just regular, busy people. As is with almost every great invention, Post-It notes have a great story behind them. The story starts in an innovative company called 3M. This household item was first invented by Spencer Silver, an employee of 3M. At the time, he was trying to create super strong adhesives to use in the aerospace industry when building planes. Well, he found just the opposite, also known as Acrylate Copolymer Microspheres.

The adhesive didn’t get a wild response by the management team. This new thing didn’t awe anyone for the next 5 years. It wasn’t until 3M manager, Geoff Nicholson, got approached by Silver and ask him to use this adhesives to do a bulletin board. Within the same time, another 3M employee by the name of Art Fry needed something to keep his paper together from his church choir and decided to use this adhesive. It worked! After many iterations and prototypes, they had a little team working towards the refinement of this clever household product.

Arthur Fry

Unfortunately, the 3M management team still wasn’t convinced about the commercial success, and three years later, they still hadn't mass-produced the invention. Joe Ramey, Nicholson’s boss, decided to give the Post-Its away for free, to gauge the response of the public- and reported back a 90% retention rate!

So finally, after more than 5 years of rejection and 7 years of R&D, the Post-It-Notes as we know it were born. Nowadays, 3M sells the hefty amount of 50 billion sticky notes every year. Other companies have also morphed this notes in the virtual arena.

Fun Fact: All Post-It are 67% plant-based adhesive.

Next in the series: a household appliance for the kitchen, the Microwave

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs

References:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/11/post-it-notes-were-invented-by-accident/