3M

In 1902, five businessmen founded the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, now known as 3M, in Two Harbors, Minnesota. The company initially set out to mine minerals for making sandpaper, but when the deposit they discovered wasn’t suitable, they pivoted to producing sandpaper using purchased materials. In 1910, they moved operations to St. Paul, where William L. McKnight, who started as an assistant bookkeeper, rose to leadership and created a culture focused on innovation. This approach led to breakthroughs like masking tape in 1925 and Scotch® tape in 1930. Over the decades, 3M developed many well-known products, including reflective materials for road signs and the iconic Post-it® Notes in 1980. Today, 3M produces a wide variety of products, ranging from healthcare and consumer goods to advanced electronics, and remains committed to creating practical solutions that improve lives around the world.