Historical Timeline
This section contains highlights, technological breakthroughs and company achievements from over 100 years of 3M history.
Click each decade to learn more:
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1950–1959
Around the World and Close to Home
The '50s was an era of the Cold War, the Korean War and postwar recovery in Europe and Japan. England crowned Queen Elizabeth II. Edmund Hillary conquered Mt. Everest. The Salk vaccine conquered polio.
3M introduced its first stock purchase plan for employees, established the 3M Foundation to expand its philanthropic programs and dedicated the first building at 3M Center in St. Paul, Minn., to house the Central Research labs.
 The Durex Corp. was disbanded and 3M started its own International Division to expand its global operations. The division started with a nucleus of companies in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
An idea from three surgeons for an adhesive-backed surgical drape led to 3M's growing involvement in health care. Other new 3M products ranged from electrical connectors to Scotchgard® Fabric Protector, Scotch® Commercial Videotape and Scotch-Brite™ Scouring Pads.
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