ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It has been used to protect the Goodyear blimp, cover cracks in the
shells of fertilized pigeon eggs and repair a nearly shredded floppy
disk that federal authorities needed to solve a murder case. With
hundreds of uses - both extraordinary and everyday - Scotch transparent
tape celebrates 75 "indispensable" years Sept. 8, 2005, the anniversary
of the day the first roll of transparent tape was sold. The tape is
still produced near the 3M headquarters in Minnesota, and has become a
valuable home and office staple to millions around the globe. (Please
visit www.scotch75press.com
for vintage images and more information.)
When a banjo-playing-turned-adhesive expert named Richard Drew developed
the first Scotch transparent tape in 1930, the uses were few and sales
of the new product reached only $33 in its first year. Nonetheless,
transparent tape flourished as Americans discovered the new tape could
prolong the usefulness of household items during the Depression. Since
then, Scotch transparent tape has become an important piece of Americana:
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During World War II virtually all tape production was diverted to the
war effort, for use for sealing and labeling parts.
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In 1978, "Saturday Night Live" poked fun at the popularity of Scotch
tape, spoofing a store that sold only Scotch tape.
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In 1985, Scotch tape was voted the most indispensable product in the
home in a national Roper opinion poll.
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In 2004, Scotch tape was named a "Humble Masterpiece" by the Museum of
Modern Art in New York.
In honor of the 75th anniversary of Scotch transparent tape, Scotch
brand has modernized the beloved "snail" tape dispenser for the first
time in nearly 60 years. The new Scotch contour dispenser maintains the
widely recognizable snail profile, but has a sleeker, more contemporary
design better suited for the 21st century home and office. The new
dispenser reinforces 3M's trademark innovation and represents the latest
example in a long heritage of creating great ideas that stick.
About 3M - A Global, Diversified Technology Company
Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen.
Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they
can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include
Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command
and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the
world, the company's 67,000 people use their expertise, technologies and
global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office;
display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety,
security and protection services; health care; industrial and
transportation. For more information, including the latest product and
technology news, visit www.3M.com.
Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command
and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.
