| The 3M Company originally known as the | | | | provide just two examples of the kinds of |
| Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company | | | | innovations that 3M Company has become known |
| began life all the way back in 1902 in the | | | | for. The company has strayed some from their |
| Minnesota town of Two Harbors on the North | | | | path over the years though. It was during the late |
| Shore of Lake Superior. The company was | | | | 60's and early 70's that 3M began creating its own |
| originally formed by five partners Henry S. Bryan, | | | | line of board games. And although the games |
| Herman W. Cable, John Dwan, William A, | | | | were very popular it was eventually decided that |
| McGonagle, and Dr. J. Danley Budd who had come | | | | the division should be sold off to Avalon Hill. |
| up with the idea of selling a mineral known as | | | | After that 3M decided to stick to what it does |
| corundum to manufacturers on the east coast. | | | | best. Of course one of the areas that 3M is best |
| The mineral they thought would sell well as it | | | | known for is tape. Besides masking tape they |
| could be used to make grinding stones and | | | | produce other products such as scotch tape and |
| sandpaper or so they thought. | | | | in 1980 the company brought out the now |
| Well the idea didn't really pan out to well for the | | | | famous Post-it-notes. This little office innovation |
| partners but as they were not willing to give up | | | | has brought the concept of leaving messages for |
| just yet they turned there attention to another | | | | people to a whole new level all by itself. |
| mineral known as Spanish garnet. This mineral it | | | | Finally in 2002 the Minnesota Mining and |
| turned out worked really well in the making of | | | | Manufacturing Company officially changed its |
| sandpaper. After some initial problems that were | | | | name to the 3M Company since that was how |
| soon dealt with sales of their new sandpaper | | | | the world really new the company anyway. The |
| product began to take off. But these early trials | | | | company now employs over 75,000 people |
| for the company had taught the founders the | | | | worldwide. It has labs and manufacturing facilities |
| value of a good R&D department. Forever | | | | in countries across the globe. And it has become |
| after innovation at the company would lead the | | | | a global conglomerate best known for its |
| way. | | | | innovative products and commitment to |
| In fact each year new products created by their | | | | researching new ideas. For any entrepreneur it |
| R&D labs account for about 25% of sales | | | | has become a benchmark example of how |
| each year. Products such as waterproof | | | | research and development can lead the way and |
| sandpaper in 1921 and masking tape in 1925 | | | | create a better tomorrow. |