History:
It’s quite remarkable to think that a small piece of paper with a simple adhesive has emerged as one of the most innovative technologies in the 21st century. The story began in 1986 when 3M scientist Spencer Silver was in search of an application for his accidental invention of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (while ironically attempting to make a strong adhesive for the aerospace industry). Several years later, another 3M scientist named Art Fry attended one of Silver’s seminars and was intrigued by this unique adhesive. Fry saw the potential in this invention and decided to join forces to address a personal issue of his: bookmarks that kept falling off their place. The collaboration product was then introduced to the market in 1980 where it quickly became a resounding success, with 3M consistently producing over 50 billion notes annually
Uses: Daily Lives
Post-it notes have a multitude of uses in our daily lives and thus becoming an integral part of our routines. They serve as a versatile method of communication as they are simple in design but effective in transmission in any kind of settings. Leaving messages for colleagues, jotting down to-do lists for yourself, or compiling grocery items for your roommate’s shopping list are just some ways it’s utilized. Additionally, it’s an excellent tool for sparking creativity by offering a flexible approach to idea generation and organization. For artists, they can function as a portable artbook such as flipbooks or a means to add inspirational work temporarily to their workspace. Students also find value in using sticky notes to visually grasp concepts by creating flowcharts and mind maps on their walls, alongside their original function of creating annotations that can move from textbooks to notebooks anytime they want.
Uses: Reading
The impact of Post-it notes on reading is particularly noteworthy. In the realm of reading, Post-it notes offer a valuable means of annotation without damaging the paper itself. Additionally, readers can easily transfer these notes from one book to another, making information highly portable and thus more accessible. They also serve as mini canvases for the imaginative readers to visualize scenes in fictional works, creating a deeper understanding of the narrative and encouraging creative thinking .
Uses: Writing
When it comes to writing, post-it notes are indispensable. They provide a convenient surface for brainstorming ideas and grasping concepts, whether it’s acting as a pocket-sized notebook or aiding in the creation of visual storyboards. Post-it notes also allows for easy edits, references, and annotations to written work. And while you might think the standard paper could fulfill these functions, what sets sticky notes apart is its remarkable ability to adhere to any surface, be repositioned numerous times, and offer unparalleled portability, making them an essential tool for various aspects of our daily lives.
https://www.wikihow.com/Annotate-an-Article
If you’re intrigued by the uses of Post-It notes, 3M recently unveiled a Post-it Note Collaboration that discusses various techniques such as mind mapping along with a comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for executing each of these processes.
Impact in the 21st Century:
Post-it notes have also left a permanent mark on technology itself. While retaining certain features of old writing systems in new technology is not something new, for example: the format of keyboard is the same as the typewriter or how e-books mimic turning pages similar to physical books, it was surprising to see sticky notes added as a new feature. Recently, 3M and Evernote have worked together to add Post-it notes to technology.
And even with these inclusions and the rise of technology, the need for post-it notes are yet to decline (although the use of paper alone has). While you can carry your personal devices anywhere, post-it notes are not power-dependent and has sensory experience no device can parallel. Many agree that the physical act of writing helps them retain information better than typing. Additionally, it reduces strain on your eyes when compared to a screen. And the use of sticky notes have no limitations in space, you can even use it on your ceiling. However, on a desktop, it’s limited to the screen size
Post-it notes have evolved from being a simple bookmark by chance to an indispensable tool in any field or category. It is present in both analogue and digital worlds with its seamless integration into technology and continues to prove that it’s an innovation that can thrive in the constantly evolving world of the 21st century
References:
Lavanger, J. (2016, November 7). Post-it notes. MNopedia. https://www.mnopedia.org/thing/post-it-notes#:~:text=In%201968%2C%20Spencer%20Silver%2C%20a,what%20that%20use%20could%20be.
Lavenda, D. (2014, March 26). How The Post-it Note Could Become The Latest Innovation Technology. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/3027722/how-the-post-it-note-could-become-the-latest-innovation-technology
Evernote. (n.d). Introduction to Post-It Notes with Evernote. https://help.evernote.com/hc/en-us/articles/209129077-Introduction-to-Post-it-Notes-with-Evernote
Post It Brand. (n.d). About Post-It Brand: History Timeline. https://post-it.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/post-it-notes/contact-us/about-us/
Post It Brand. (n.d). Teamwork Tips & Productivity Tools from Post-it® Brand. https://www.post-it.com/3M/en_US/post-it/ideas/teamwork-solutions/?utm_medium=redirect&utm_source=vanity-url&utm_campaign=www.Post-it.com/Collaborate
Skonord, C. (2021, March 9). Post-it notes: An innovative employee idea that was originally a mistake. Ideawake. https://ideawake.com/post-it-notes-employee-idea-that-was-originally-mistake/