Historical Timeline

1980-1989
Awards and Honors

The familiar yellow Post-it® Notes and 3M™ Scotchcast™ Casting Tape were both introduced in 1980. In 1984, 3M and NASA announced a joint research program to explore manufacturing in space. The first 3M research experiments were conducted on the space shuttle Discovery in November of that year. 3M also introduced its Genesis program to encourage technical entrepreneurship in research and new-product development.

1985 was a banner year for 3M. The first refastenable diaper tapes debuted, and parents  rejoiced. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave 3M a Scientific Engineering Award for magnetic film that improved the audio capabilities of movie sound tracks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of 3M’s Tambocor™ (flecainide acetate), an antiarrhythmic drug. And in 1986, 3M™ Scotchcal™ Drag Reduction Film, based on microreplication technology, helped the yacht Stars & Stripes win the America’s Cup competition.