University of Minnesota
College of Engineering organized
1893
Institute of Technology’s
chemistry department
established
1900s
1902
3M founded in
Two Harbors, Minn.
1919
Institute of
Technology’s chemical
engineering department
established
1920s
Innovation begins to thrive
at 3M. The world’s first
water-resistant sandpaper
is patented and introduced.
3M develops masking tape
and the engineering department
is established.
R. P. Carlton
Richard P. Carlton (EE ’21)
established 3M’s first Central
Research Laboratory,
which led to breakthrough
technologies. He later
served as 3M president.
Harvey Livermore (ChemE ’22) was recognized
for his work on waterbased
adhesives.
William Vievering (Chem ’25) is the first University
of Minnesota graduate
hired by 3M. Vievering
pioneered efforts in establishing
3M’s laboratory and
quality control operations.
Joseph Kugler (ChemE
’26) introduced synthetic
resin technology and
worked on electrostatic
coating processes for
abrasives.
G.P. Netherly (ChemE ’29)
developed gluebond
sandpaper.
George Swenson (ChemE ’29) invented
colored ceramic-coated
roofing granules.
1930s
By the end of the decade, 3M
had five diverse businesses,
including abrasives, masking
tape, cellophane tape,
roofing granules and adhesives.
Hubert Tierney (Chem ’30)
improved pressure sensitive
tapes and contributed to the
development of modern
manufacturing.
Harry Heltzer
Clifford Jewett (ChemE ’31)
developed the modern
roofing granule.
Wilfred Wetzel (Physics ’33)
studied elasticity in pressuresensitive
adhesives and established
magnetic tape as the
world’s principal medium for
electronic recording.
Harry Heltzer (MetallurgyE ’33)
served as 3M president
and eventually became Chairman
of the Board.
Carl Dahlquist (ChemE ’34)
was considered the company
expert in adhesion, and invented
low adhesion used in
pressure-sensitive tapes.
Bill Lundquist (ChemE ’34)
applied organic chemistry to
pressure-sensitive adhesives,
tape backings and plastic
film products.
Phil Palmquist
Phil Palmquist (ChemE ’37)
received an Oscar in 1969
for developing a front
projection screen using
Scotchlite retroreflective
technology.
1940s
During the 1940s, 3M found
industrial uses to expand
its adhesive business. 3M
product innovations ranged
from non-woven materials
to vinyl electrical tape, and
recording tape.
Francis Brown (ChemE ’44)
advanced acrylic adhesive
technology, primarily in
areas involving pressuresensitive
aerosol adhesives,
plasticizer-resistant adhesives,
as well as high solids
and UV curing adhesives.
Robert Youngquist (EE ’48)
contributed to the first audio
recording system, gigabyte
data recording, and represents
3M in the recording
industry.
3M stock was listed for the
first time on the New York
Stock Exchange.
1950s
During this era, 3M became
more involved in health
care. Product innovations
included electrical connectors,
Scotchgard® Fabric Protector,
Scotch® videotape,
and Scotch Brite® scouring
pads.
Joe Ling
Lester Krogh (Chem ’52)
became vice president of
research and development,
and sponsored the Genesis,
Visiting Wizards, and Circle
of Technical Excellence programs.
Joe Ling (CivE ’52) began developing
the Pollution Prevention
Pays program. He
later became vice president
of environmental, health
and safety.
Robert Elm (ME ’54) developed
the first electrical flat
cabling system using round
conductors with insulation
displacement connectors.
Art Fry
Art Fry (ChemE ’55) is the
inventor of the Post-it®
note.
Art Kotz (Physics ’55) was
credited with developing
the 3M Mangi-Dry Copier
and electronic reproduction
systems.
1960s
The Carlton Society was
established in the 1960s to
honor outstanding technical
employees, and named
for former 3M President
Richard P. Carlton (EE ’21)
who was hired as the first
technical employee to hold
a college degree.
Dennis Enright (ME ’61)
developed electronic wiring
connecting and handling
systems.
1970s
The innovative products produced
during the 1970s held
automotive parts in place,
fastened diapers, provided
backup security for computers,
gave dentists new
filling materials, helped to
keep buildings clean, helped
to prevent theft of library
books, and made insulated
clothing less bulky and more
comfortable.
3M inaugurated Pollution
Prevention Pays, a program
created by Joe Ling (CivE ’52),
to encourage employees
to prevent pollution at the
source. It led to large reductions
in pollution and waste
in 3M’s products, process,
and daily operations.
The 3P Program (Pollution Pays) was introduced in 1975.
The 3P Program (Pollution
Prevention Pays) was introduced
in 1975.
1980s
A whole new product
category emerged during
the 1980s with the Post-it®
note, which became a worldwide
best seller.
Tom Wood (Chem ’81) applied
inorganic materials science
to create new pavement
marketing products. He is
credited with creating novel
3M cubitron abrasives.
Terence Neavin (ME ’80) was
credited with advanced key
manufacturing processes
and equipment used to produce
multilayer optical films,
and was responsible for
massive new-product growth
related to his basic feedblock
design.
The University of Minnesota used Tartan Turf surfacing material at Memorial Football Stadium into the 1980s, one of many stadiums around the nation.
The University of Minnesota used
Tartan Turf surfacing material at
Memorial Football Stadium into
the 1980s, one of many stadiums
around the nation.
1990s
3M continues to develop an array
of innovations during the 1990s,
including immune response modifier
pharmaceuticals; brightness
enhancement films for electronic
displays; and flexible circuits used
in inkjet printers, cell phones and
other electronic devices.
In the 1990s, Vern Rylander (ChemE
’60), Ed McCue (ChemE ’63), and Rich
Rylander (Physics ’75, EE ’76, M.S. ’77,
Ph.D. ’82) created Scotchprint® large
format digital imaging.
2000s
3M Post-it® notes remain a worldwide best seller today.
Sales topped $20 billion during
this period, with innovative
new products contributing significantly
to growth. Products
included Post-it® Super Sticky
Notes, Scotch® Transparent
Duct Tape, optical films for LCD
televisions and a new family of
Scotch-Brite® Cleaning Products
that give consumers the right
scrubbing power for a host of
cleaning jobs.
Dick Minday (Chem Ph.D. ’70)
co-invented Novec 1230 for
fire protection.
