Spencer Silver, who helped invent the Post-it Note, dies at age 80
The corporate scientist discovered the unique adhesive that allowed notes to be easily attached to surfaces and removed
Spencer Silver was the inventor of the adhesive used on one of 3M’s best-known products, the Post-it Note. Photograph: AP
Spencer Silver was the inventor of the adhesive used on one of 3M’s best-known products, the Post-it Note. Photograph: AP
AssociatedPress
Thu 13 May 2021 19.54 EDT
Last modified on Thu 13 May 2021 20.40 EDT
The inventor of the adhesive used on the Post-it Note has died, according to the company 3M, which produces the product, and his published obituary.
Spencer Silver was 80 and died May 8 at his home, the family’s obituary said.
Silver was working in a company lab in 1968 when he discovered a unique adhesive formula, according to 3M. The adhesive allowed notes to be easily attached to surfaces, removed and even re-posted elsewhere without leaving residue like other glues.
Silver looked for several years for a practical use for the adhesive, calling it a âsolution waiting for a problem to solve.â In 1974, his colleague Art Fry came up with the idea of using the adhesive to prevent paper bookmarks from falling out of his hymnal when he sang in church.
Minnesota Post-It Note Inventor Passes Away at 80
RIP to the chemist and inventor that is responsible for keeping so many people organized on the job. Spencer Silver passed away May 8th at 80 years old in his home in St. Paul.
One of the 37 patents awarded to him during his time at 3M is for microsphere adhesives Post-it. In 1974 colleague Art Fry came up with the idea of using Spencer s invention to prevent paper bookmarks from falling out of his hymnal when he sang in church. Thus, Post-it Notes were born.
Silver retired from 3M in1996, and won multiple awards for chemistry and inventing, but it wasn t all science for him. He was also a talented artist who had his work displayed at the Bloomington Center for the Arts and other venues. He also enjoyed cooking and traveling with his wife.
Spencer Silver was 80 years old.
In 1968, Silver was working in a lab when he discovered an adhesive formula that allowed notes to be easily attached to surfaces, removed, and even re-posted elsewhere without leaving residue like other glues.
In 1974, a colleague then came up with the idea of using the adhesive to prevent bookmarks from falling out of his hymnal at church.
The product was originally called the Press n Peel memo pad but didn t really take off until 1980 when it was renamed the Post-It Note.
Do you know anyone who is obsessed with using Post-Its? What or how do they use them?