Sticky Notes – Full of Heart!

I don’t know about you but my desk is littered with sticky notes, even as we speak. There is not a spot in my work area that is safe from these sticky little guys. As a matter of fact, even the notes I have for this blog post can be found sitting next to my keyboard. See pic below.

Sure, no one else can read my rushed and frazzled chicken scratch. Nor can anyone understand the method at which I make out my notes. Sounds pretty unorganized right? Not to me! I honestly don’t think I would make it through the day without the use of my sticky little friends.

As much as we use the sticky note or post-it note (call it what you want), the invention of the post-it note was actually a mistake. A man named Spencer Silver, a scientist from 3M created the adhesive backing by mistake in 1970. He was actually trying to develop a stronger adhesive but instead created a repositionable adhesive much weaker than what 3M was already manufacturing at the time. Not being able to use his newly developed adhesive, the product went on the shelf. Luckily for us he did not discard it.

Now, fast forward six years later. Another 3M scientist, Arthur Fry,  was singing in his local church choir and had a difficult time keeping his place in his hymn book. He tried using markers but they kept falling out of the book.  Frustrated, he wished he had something sticky that would stay put without ripping the pages in his book. He soon remembered his colleague’s invention a few years earlier and coated his marker’s with the light adhesive that Spencer Silver had created. The new adhesive worked wonderfully and the rest is history. 3M began distributing the Post-It note in 1980.

With 32 years under its belly, the Post-It note has become somewhat of an icon. For years people have been finding creative and unique ways to use one of the most trusted office supplies. The shapes and colors have evolved as well with hundreds of different shapes, sizes, colors and more.

This Valentine’s Day show your office co-workers some love with a fun heart-shaped Post-It note dispenser and pink post it notes. You won’t go un-noticed!