Fluorochemical technology contributes to a broad array of 3M's modern day products and processes. So it may be difficult to believe that, once upon a time, 3M was all but stumped by the challenge of how to create a successful new product from fluorochemicals.
That challenge was met by Patsy Sherman, a young chemical researcher who joined 3M in 1952. Sherman was assigned to work on a project to develop a rubber material that would resist deterioration from jet aircraft fuels. As is often the case with innovative breakthroughs, Sherman failed to solve the problem assigned to her, but discovered, instead, a whole new way to put fluorochemical compounds to use. It all began with the careful attention paid by Sherman to a seemingly trivial accident. SCOTCHDARD
In 1953, an assistant in Sherman's lab spilled some drops of an experimental compound on her new tennis shoes. The assistant was merely annoyed by her inability to clean off the drops – soap, alcohol and other solvents were of no avail.
But Sherman was fascinated by the amazing resiliency of the experimental compound. With the help of fellow 3M chemist Sam Smith, Sherman began to conceive of an idea that seemed unthinkable at the time – the development of a fluorochemical polymer that could actually repel oil and water from fabrics. They set to work to enhance the liquid repellency of the experimental compound, as well as to reduce its cost.
In 1956, as a result of the joint research of Sherman and Smith, the Scotchgard™ Protector was launched in the marketplace. The unarticulated need of customers for a versatile fabric and material protector had been articulated – and satisfied – at last. The broad line of successful Scotchgard™ brand products was under way.
And the Scotchgard™ brand has remained the market leader ever since – though 3M has never ceased to make innovative improvements in the product line. Fittingly, it was Smith's son, Richard – following in his father's footsteps as a 3M researcher – who enhanced the environmental performance of Scotchgard™ brand products.
Quite literally, the discovery of the Scotchgard protector stemmed from an accident. This led many to observe that 3M had a seeming knack of stumbling onto new products. But as 3M executive Richard P. Carlton wryly and wisely observed, "You can't stumble if you're not in motion."
