The Post-It Note: How Even the Best Innovation Needs Someone to Show the Way

In 1968, while looking to improve upon adhesives used in many products, 3M research scientist Dr. Spence Silver accidentally stumbled upon a technology that would eventually alter the way in which we communicate. It was a different kind of glue—what made it special is that it was very weak.

Dr. Silver saw numerous possibilities for this innovation, but it took him five years to get any of his colleagues to pay attention. It was at that point that Geoff Nicholson joined the 3M Product Development team. Mr. Nicholson saw potential in the new adhesive and eventually became the champion of Dr. Silver’s discovery. As a result of their collaboration, the revolutionary glue found its way into many 3M products.

And then another innovator, 3M employee Art Fry, used it—unexpectedly, demonstrating why the world needed a weaker adhesive. Mr. Fry admired the unique and useful nature of the temporary adhesive so much that he personalized its usefulness and applied it in an unconventional way; he used it to make bookmarks stick to the inside pages of his choir hymnal, of which he took great care.

And thus the Post-It Note was born. From mutual respect and admiration between colleagues came the launch of a massive retail success story.

Even the best product has no value until people see how it can address problems in their lives. This remarkable story perfectly illustrates how “it” happens, how the connection from idea to practical applicability is made, and, most importantly, how people—not products—are the driving force of innovation.

So by understanding certain attributes are shared by innovators, we understand that innovation can connect the brainstorm of an idea to its implementation. Those attributes are curiosity, engagement, spontaneity, advocacy, tenacity, and openness. And like the team at 3M, innovation is successful when innovators combine their capabilities—and produce something great.