I'm indebted to Papernation, supplier of covetable stationery, for alerting me to the news that 3M's Post-it notes are celebrating their 30th birthday.
Post-its (and indeed other sticky note products) are particularly close to my heart because "who prints Post-its?" is the most frequently-asked Help Line question of all time. Well, certainly in the modern era.
As product development stories go, the note's gestation is fascinating. From the invention, in 1968, of a low-tack adhesive with no obvious use, to prolonged attempts to persuade 3M's high-ups to accept the notes as a viable product, it actually took more than a decade for the now ubiquitous pads to come to market. You can read the whole story here.
And although the original 3M patent has now expired, Post-it and the Canary Yellow colour are still very much its trademarks. 3M's own range of spin-off products is pretty vast, and rival makes of sticky note pads have also let their creativity run riot.
This humble piece of office stationery has expanded into branded notes that make an ideal corporate giveaway, as well as designer stationery - among my most recent gift purchases from the aforementioned Papernation were a beautiful set of garden-inspired decorated sticky notes from Cavallini, and some stylish "Couture Classics" notes under the V&A brand. No stationery lover could fail to be wowed by these gorgeous items.
I for one can't imagine life without these little pieces of print and paper perfection.
