Arthur Fry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Fry
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Fry with a Post-it Note on his forehead
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| Born | August 19, 1931 Owatonna, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Known for | Post-it Note creation |
Arthur "Art" Fry (born August 19, 1931) is an American inventor and scientist. He is famous for helping create the Post-it Note. This useful office item is made by a company called 3M. As of 2006, Post-it products are sold in over 100 countries around the world.
Contents
Arthur Fry's Life Story
Art Fry was born in Owatonna, Minnesota. He lived in different places like Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri when he was young. He went to a small, one-room schoolhouse for his early education.
In 1953, while still studying in college, Fry started working at 3M. At that time, the company was called Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. He worked as a researcher, helping to develop new products. He continued this work at 3M until he retired in the early 1990s.
Fry earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1955.
How the Post-it Note Was Invented
The Post-it Note, which Fry is best known for, was created in 1974. That year, Fry went to a meeting where another 3M scientist, Spencer Silver, gave a talk. Silver had invented a very special kind of adhesive (which is like a glue) in 1969.
Silver's adhesive was unique. It was strong enough to stick to things, but also weak enough to be removed easily without leaving a mark. At first, Silver wasn't sure what this special glue could be used for.
The story goes that Fry was at church when he thought of the perfect idea. Fry sang in his church choir. He used small pieces of paper to mark the pages in his songbook. But these makeshift bookmarks often fell out when he opened the book.
Then, it hit him! He realized that Silver's special adhesive could be used to make a much better bookmark. If the adhesive was put on paper, it could hold a bookmark in place without damaging the page.
The very next day, Fry asked for a sample of the adhesive. He started experimenting with it. He put the glue on only one edge of the paper. This way, the part sticking out of the book would not be sticky. Fry also started writing notes to his boss using these new sticky papers. This helped him realize that his bookmark idea could become the amazing Post-it Note product we know today.
The Success of Post-it Notes
It took a few years for the Post-it Note idea to become a real product. There were some technical problems with making them. Also, some people at 3M weren't sure if the product would sell well.
However, Post-it Notes were finally released across the country in 1980. They quickly became very popular!
In 1981, 3M named Post-it Notes their "Outstanding New Product." The team that created the Post-it Note also won 3M's Golden Step Award in 1980 and 1981. This award is given to teams who create big new products that make a lot of money for the company.
3M recognized Fry as a top corporate researcher in 1986. He also belongs to special groups at 3M that honor technical excellence.
Fry lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota today. He was even mentioned in the 1997 movie Romy and Michele's High School Reunion as the true inventor of Post-its.
In 2004, Fry helped judge a science competition called eCybermission. This competition is sponsored by the Army and focuses on Math and Science.
In 2008, Post-it Notes were featured in a TV show in Taiwan called Fated to Love You. It was a romantic comedy where the main character used Post-it Notes a lot. In one episode, the main male character even talked about Art Fry as the creator of Post-it Notes.
In 2010, Art Fry was honored by being added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Who Invented It?
While Art Fry is widely known for inventing the Post-it Note, another inventor named Alan Amron also claimed to have shared similar technology with 3M in 1974. There were some legal discussions about this. In the end, 3M and Amron reached an agreement.
See Also
Images for kids
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Fry with a Post-it Note on his forehead
