Post-it notes are the canary yellow bits of paper which are 3 inches in size and are often seen in offices and homes as a kind of aide memoire for day-to-day jobs. Post-it notes carry a strip of adhesive that allows them to be stuck on most surfaces such as walls, desks, computer screens and more, serving as reminders to the user. Moreover, Post-it notes can be taken off without leaving any marks and can be re-attached to other surfaces.
This simple stationery was invented by 3M Corporation of USA, which had a patent on Post-it for exclusive production until 1990. It was developed by 3M employee Art Fry, who saw the need for bookmarks that would not keep falling off from inside books. He needed an adhesive that would allow the paper to peel off without leaving marks. The special adhesive was made by his colleague Spencer Silver at 3M. Though Silver had developed such an adhesive in 1968, he could not find a commercial use for it for many years, till Art Fry decided to try it on bookmarks.
It was in 1977 that the 3M Corporation launched the Post-it. Interestingly enough, the product failed at that time. It was only after extensive free sampling that people took to Post-it. Soon Post-it was huge success all over the world and 3M produced it at its factory in Cynthiana, Kentucky.
The canary yellow colour and the name ’Post-it’ are still the trademarks of 3M. When the patent expired in 1990 other companies also started producing self adhesive bits of paper that were similar to Post-it notes in a variety of colours and sizes. They are marketed under various names such as ‘sticky notes’ and ‘repositional notes’. Later, 3M developed a computerized version of Post-it notes called ‘Post-it Software Notes’. Apple, too, has a similar product called ’Stickies’.
However, the 3M original ‘Post-it’ had caught the world’s imagination. Despite many similar products, 3M still holds a sizeable market share. In fact, Post-it notes have become culture symbols as well. Artists have made portraits and paintings using Post-it notes. California artist Rebecca Murtaugh created a piece of art in 2001 with a huge quantity of Post-it notes. She used almost $1000 worth of Post-it notes in her work or art. Architect and curator, Paola Antonelli, used Post-it notes in her work which was called ‘Humble Masterpieces’. Jésica López of Monterrey, Mexico, made portraits of some of the 101 most powerful women list from the Forbes magazine using Post-it notes.
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