Imagine a World Without Vinyl Electrical Tape

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. (now known as 3M) establishes itself as a mining operation; sandpaper is their first commercial product.

Now that automobiles are more common, customers demand more color options. Masking part of a car with cloth surgical tape gives auto makers nothing but grief.

World War II spawns many, many innovations in the industrial world that include the invention of PVC, plasticized vinyl.

One of the 3 scientists credited with the invention of Vinyl Electrical Tape, Esther paves the way with her discovery of an adhesive-friendly plasticizer.

3M applies for a patent in January 1946 and No. 33 Tape (originally white or yellow in color) becomes the new standard for insulating electrical connections.

Ads appear in the Saturday Evening Post and Life magazine; this TV commercial colorfully illustrates just how handy 3M Plastic Vinyl Electrical Tape can be.

3M introduces the new and improved electrical tape "Super 33". Now black for UV resistance, it has a new operating temperature rating up to 176ºF.

3M Vinyl Electrical Tape takes another leap forward to 33 PLUS. It boasts a surprising upper operating temperature rating of 221ºF.

3M launches the 1st highly conformable, all-weather Linerless Rubber Splicing Tape as Scotch® 130C…but don't forget to overwrap with 3M Vinyl Electrical Tape.

A look at the lineage of Scotch® Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape provides insight into the previous 30 years of improvements.

3M sets the standard yet again with the new and improved "Super 33+" vinyl electrical tape that has even greater elasticity.

3M CELEBRATES their invention of Vinyl Electrical Tape. Tape that transformed the electrical industry almost overnight is definitely worthy of a birthday party!