Yellow sticky notes (Post-it Notes) were about to be invented in 1968 when a 3M researcher tried to improve adhesive tape. He came up with a semi-sticky adhesive – not suitable for tape, but he thought it could have a use for something else, he just didn’t know what.

A few years later, another 3M scientist was needing a way to keep his bookmarks from falling out of his hymnal while he sang with his church choir.  He needed something that would stick without being permanent.  He remembered the weak glue his colleague had accidentally created 4 years before. In 1980 the Post-it Note was created.