Taking Scotch® Tape to New Lengths …The evolution of a household product

"Drew realized they needed a glue with a less aggressive adhesive and took his idea back to the lab."

When Dick Drew, a 3M researcher, overhead a group of autobody workers cursing he asked about their problem.

The popular two-tone cars of the early 1920's required workers to mask areas with newspaper and homemade glue while other parts of the body were being painted. But the glue often had to be scraped off - taking the new paint with it, making workers start the process over again.

Drew realized they needed a glue with a less aggressive adhesive and took his idea back to the lab. In 1925, he launched the world's first masking tape - Scotch® Masking Tape, leading 3M to an extensive line of over 700 pressure-sensitive tapes for the home and industry.

Drew had a talent for devising practical solutions for customer needs. So, when he heard of an insulation firm that needed 3M's help to devise a waterproof covering for the insulation batts they were designing, Drew looked to coat cellophane with adhesive to be used as a sealing tape. Unfortunately, his sample didn't work for the customer's needs but it had potential for packaging other products.

After working for more than a year and overcoming many challenges, Drew sent the first roll of Scotch® Cellophane Tape to a prospective customer in 1930. This tape went on to become one of the most famous and widely used products in 3M history.

In the tradition of innovation, 3M developed their product to bring consumers Scotch® Tape Strips in 1997. In ready-cut 5 cm lengths, they are an ideal size for most uses and are handy when it comes to doing up parcels, covering books, hanging posters or any time when an extra hand would be invaluable.

3M listens to its customers and when they discover a need, they pursue a solution.