Scotch Cellulose Tape Tin Can
date: label: date made
content: 1950s
notes: label: Description
content: Pressure sensitive tape was pioneered by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (later renamed 3M). In the early 1920s 3M engineer Richard Drew saw automotive painters struggling to mask out areas as they did two tone paint jobs. He told his bosses at 3M and was given permission to work on an adhesive tape that would hold well but release cleanly. The result was adhesive tape brought to market in 1925. Changing base film, Drew and 3M created cellulose tape in 1930, and later transparent tape. Prior to being sold in its iconic snail dispenser with serrated edge, tape was dispensed in a tin can.
label: Description
content: The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company was founded in 1902 as a mining operation, but soon began to use its minerals to make sandpaper. 3M is known for its culture of innovation which encourages employees of disparate background to work together. The company manufactures a wide variety of products focusing on films and coatings. Products range from masking tape and reflective sheeting to synthetic fabrics and sticky notes.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Production and Manufacturing
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content: Industry & Manufacturing
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content: American Enterprise
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of 3M Company
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2014.0063.06
label: maker number
content: 5/0 95
label: catalog number
content: 2014.0063.06
label: accession number
content: 2014.0063
objectType: label: Object Name
content: can for cellophane tape
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: green (overall color)
label: Physical Description
content: yellow (overall color)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: red (overall color)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 1/2 in x 5 1/8 in; 3.81 cm x 13.0175 cm