#2: Put It on a Note
In a fortunate twist of fate, Dr. Spencer Silver of 3M stumbled upon the invention of the now-famous Post-It notes while aiming to create a super-strong adhesive. This led to the discovery of a reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive instead. Art Fry’s novel use of this ‘low-tack’ adhesive as a bookmark in 1974 marked the inception of its practical application, transforming how we annotate and organize information.
The journey from discovery to household staple wasn’t immediate. Initially introduced as a ‘Press ’n Peel’ bookmark in 1977, Post-Its underwent 3M’s ‘permitted bootlegging’ policy. By 1980, over a decade after its accidental creation, it was released to the American populace, its signature yellow color a serendipitous choice necessitated by the only scrap paper available next door. Thus, the iconic Post-It note was born from a series of happy coincidences.