From One Product to Thousands The 3M Timeline

The 3M Story
The Evolution of 3M in Saint Paul
The 3M Timeline
1900
1910
1902
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) Company founded
in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
1905
First sandpaper manufactured in
Duluth, Minnesota.
1910
Company moves to Saint Paul, into Building 1,
which was funded by Lucius P. Ordway.
1914
“Three-M-ite” abrasive cloth is introduced.
1916
3M makes a profit and pays its first quarterly stock dividend of 6 cents
per share. It has paid quarterly dividends to the present without interruption.
1919
Building 2 is constructed.
1921
“Three-M-ite” Wetordry sandpaper, based on Francis Okie's invention, is marketed.
1920
3M begins its first sandpaper advertising campaign.
The 3M manufacturing complex, ca. 1950s
From One Product to Thousands
3M had its beginnings in 1902 at one small location in northern Minnesota. 3M's
Saint Paul headquarters grew to become the heart of a major corporation between
1910 and 1962.
Founded in 1902, Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing was a struggling mining
company in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
1925
“Scotch” Brand Masking Tape is developed.
1928
First employees’ stock purchase plan instituted
1929
First phase of Building 14 is constructed.
William L. McKnight is named president succeeding Edgar Ober.
“Scotch” electrical tape is introduced.
1930
1930
“Scotch” Brand cellulose tape is introduced.
1932
Colored roofing granules are produced.
1936
Automotive adhesives division established in Detroit.
1937
Central Research Division established.
McKnight announces 3M will undertake a major expansion of its Saint Paul plant.
Construction begins on the first phase of Building 20.
The first tape dispenser is introduced, “Mistlon” non-woven fabric is introduced.
1938
“Scotchlite” Reflective Sheeting is introduced.
Building 1 is reconstructed.
Edgar Ober
It became a floundering manufacturer
of sandpaper in Duluth in 1905 with
Edgar Ober as its president. Even then
it had national ambitions, establishing
an office in Chicago.
The cornerstone of the new Saint Paul headquarters building (Building 21) is laid.
1940
The second phase of Building 20 is constructed.
“Safety-Walk” Non-Slip Surfacing is introduced.
1941
3M Megaphone magazine for company employees begins publication.
Building 22 for tape manufacturing is begun.
The flagpole is installed by Building 21.
1940
1942
Buildings 27 and 28 are purchased from Sanitary Farm Dairies to
expand laboratories for research on roofing granules.
Building 23 for tape manufacture is begun.
Saint Paul investor Lucius P. Ordway paid
to relocate the company to Saint Paul
in 1910.
Saint Paul provided better access to
materials, supplies, and other markets,
because of the railroad connections.
1939
1943
Employee Pension Plan is adopted.
1945
Second phase of Building 14 is constructed. “Scotch” cellulose tape is put
back on the market after the end of World War II.
1946
Scottie McTape is introduced to market tape.
1947
3M begins a campaign of national expansion, both through acquisition of related
companies and new construction to promote plant diversification.
L. P. Ordway
“Scotch” Sound Recording Tape is introduced.
1948
First Annual Service Awards banquet to recognize long-time employees.
3M Company reorganizes its administrative structure and introduces a division system.
The name of “Scotch” cellulose tape is changed to “Scotch” cellophane tape.
Ordway chose a site adjacent to the Chicago,
Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha railroad
lines on the East Side, close to other industries.
Residences and commerce were nearby.
The Water Tower is installed south of Reaney Avenue.
1950
1949
Herzog Iron Works property (later Building 99 complex) is purchased. Six
more buildings are added to the site by 1958.
Construction begins on new tape building, Building 24.
McKnight is elected chairman of the board; A. G. Bush chairman of the executive committee; and R. P. Carlton, president.
New Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan is introduced.
1950
Construction begins on new office building (Building 42)
“Thermo-fax” Duplicator is introduced, Filament tape is introduced.
1951
The neighborhood provided a
ready source of workers and was
close to Ordway’s offices in
downtown Saint Paul so he could
keep an eye on his investment.
Explosion in minerals building (Building 12) kills 13 employees and injures 50 others.
3M establishes its International Division.
3M flurochemicals begin pilot plant production.
1952
3M celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. Introduction of electrical insulation products.
1953
New research building announced, to be built on new 3M Saint Paul/Maplewood campus.
Herbert Buetow succeeds Richard Carlton as president.
1960
Crane, Ordway & Co.
1954
“Scotch” Brand Magnetic Tape first used to record television
broadcasts, both sound and pictures.
1955
Twenty-fifth anniversary of “Scotch” Brand Cellophane tape.
Central research department moves into new building on new Saint Paul/Maplewood campus.
Building 47, world’s largest abrasives plant, and warehouse is completed.
Brand of the Tartan: The 3M Story by Virginia Huck is published.
William L. McKnight (right) with C. C. Allis in 1916.
William L. McKnight was hired in 1907.
Archibald G. Bush was hired in 1909.
They introduced innovative
sales and management policies that helped to make
the company profitable. It
began to pay dividends to
Archibald G. Bush
shareholders in 1916.
3M introduces “Thermo-fax Secretary” Brand Copy Machine.
First cross-country transmission of color television using “Scotch” Brand
Magnetic Video Recording Tape.
Building 2 converted from a manufacturing plant to a modern office
and laboratory building
“Scotchgard” Brand Stain Repeller is announced.
1957
The City of Saint Paul renames East Avenue, McKnight Road, and renames Fauquier Avenue, Bush Avenue.
“Thermo-fax” Microfilm Reader-Printer introduced.
W. L. McKnight observes his 50th anniversary with 3M.
1958
New gift packaging idea combining “Sasheen” gift wrap with “Sasheen” ribbons.
New magnetic tape for computers and instrumentation using sandwich construction.
The tape helped to launch the Vanguard space satellite.
1970
Sandpaper was 3M’s first product and
the source of an increasingly diverse
abrasives business. When Building 47
was completed in 1955, it was the
world’s largest abrasives plant.
3M’s success was grounded in research, openness to
innovation, and learning from failure. When early
sandpaper production failed, the company found the
source of the problem and established a research lab
for testing and learning. Emphasis on research and
experimentation throughout the entire company
always has been the basis of company growth.
1956
“Scotch Brite” cleaning pads introduced.
1960
“Scotch Magic Tape” is introduced.
1962
Company headquarters moves to new building at 3M Center, Maplewood.
1963
The Carlton Society is created.
1966
William L. McKnight becomes honorary board chairman after
59 years as a 3M employee.
Archibald G. Bush dies after 57 years with 3M.
1969
Neil Armstrong steps on the moon in boots made of 3M Fluorel
synthetic rubber.
1977
3M celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Our Story So Far is published as part of the celebration.
“Post-It Notes” are introduced.
1980
1980
1990
1990
Building 99 is constructed in the Herzog Iron Works complex.
2002
3M celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Three floors are added to Building 42 to accommodate the Engineering Department.
2000
A Century of Innovation: The 3M Story is published.
2009
2010
"Scotchlite" reflective surfacing
3M sells most of Saint Paul Plant to Saint Paul Port Authority and relocates remaining operations to Maplewood.
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