Last Post-it for inventor of the adhesive used on memo pads as he dies at the age of 80 ‘after ventricular tachycardia’
- Spencer Silver who invented the glue that goes on Post It notes has died aged 80
- He discovered it in 1968 but called it a solution ‘waiting for a problem’ until 1974
- A colleague of his first used it to stop paper bookmarks falling out of his book
The inventor of the glue used on Post-It notes has died. Spencer Silver, pictured, passed away at his Minnesota home, aged 80, his family said.
He discovered the adhesive, which allows notes to be easily attached and reattached to various surfaces without leaving residue, in 1968.
He called it ‘a solution waiting for a problem’ until 1974, when Art Fry – a scientific colleague at the US conglomerate 3M – used it to stop paper bookmarks falling out of his hymn book when he sang in church.
The Press n’ Peel memo pad finally took off when it was renamed the Post-It in 1980.
The inventor of the glue used on Post-It notes has died. Spencer Silver, pictured, passed away at his Minnesota home, aged 80, his family said
It’s now one of the top-selling items in 3M’s consumer products division.
Silver retired as a corporate scientist in 1996 and earned 37 patents during his time at 3M.
He also won several awards, including the 1998 American Chemical Society Award for Creative Invention, according to the company.
According to the New York Times, Mr Silver died after an episode of ventricular tachycardia, when the heart beats faster than normal.
Silver is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda, a daughter and two grandchildren.
He discovered the adhesive, which allows notes to be easily attached and reattached to various surfaces without leaving residue, in 1968
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