Post-its invented by mistake

Sometimes inventions can just happen, without thought... as was the case with the Post-it.

In 1968, American chemist Spencer Silver attempted to develop super strong glue for 3M Laboratories. However, he created a weakly adhesive glue. Silver did not know what to do with this product and left his discovery "on the shelf".

Five years on and the glue invention remains unused, that was until Arthur Fry from the 3M New Products division gets a break, in a fraction of a second: a bookmark with an adhesive edge that leaves no glue traces in books and is always reusable. The next day he will get into his laboratory immediately. He puts some glue on paper and gives the sheets to his closest colleagues to try them out in practice. The funny thing is that the papers are hardly used as bookmakers, but much more as a means of communication. A handwritten message, stuck on the phone, the door, or a document, is soon noticed and read. Fry says: "I thought what we have here is not just a note sheet. It's a whole new way to communicate!"

In 1977 the Post-it was launched under the name of "Press' n Peel". It was initially not such a great success, but as soon as people realized how useful the sticky notes were, the product was "like a virus," said Fry. The self-adhesive leaflets made for themselves advertising: the Post-it provoked the curiosity of the recipient.

There are three aspects that contributed to the Post-IT becoming a must-have for any office around the world.

Look beyond the problem

Although Silver did not initially realize what the value of this new type of glue he had created, Frymet immediately saw the Post-it Notes concept the solution to another problem. Fry, a weekly churchman, used the Post-it's to quickly find the songs in his book. Loose leaves were always out of the book, but the Post-it's pinned on the paper, but more importantly: without damaging the pages. Furthermore, the ultimate purpose of the self-adhesive memo developed from itself: from bookkeeper to note sheet.

Keep it simple

The ease in which they can be used is also the beauty of the Post-it Note. The glue does not require wetting as in envelopes, nor does it leave any glue residue. In addition, the Post-it's keep their adhesive power. They are lightweight, small, compact and inexpensive.

Reuse

The quality of the glue was unique at the time: it sticks well, but it is removable. Thanks to this combination, Post-it notes can be reused many times without losing their adhesive power.

Post-it notes are used all over the world and the famous Post-it glue is also used on many Post-it brand-related products, including Super Sticky notes with even better adhesive on special surfaces. The Post-it's are now also available as other brands, such as Memomind, and often have a cover or are combined with other products like bookmarkers. This makes it a useful and popular promotional gift and an excellent communication carrier.

Office room with Post-it Scrum in the background

Sticky notes remain popular

Interestingly, Post-it has existed for 40 years and has lost nothing of its appeal. Despite the digital age, there is still a need to write, send and write physical notes.