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The Post-it note
A Post-it note (or simply Post-it), invented and manufactured by 3M, is a piece of stationery with a readherable strip of adhesive on the back, designed for temporarily attaching notes to documents, computer displays, and so forth. While now available in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes, the most common size of Post-it note is a 3-in (7.5-cm) square, trademark canary yellow in color. The notes use a unique low-tack adhesive that enables the Post-its to be easily attached and removed without leaving marks or residue. The names Post-it and Post-it note—as well as the canary yellow color—are trademarks of 3M, the company which invented and manufactures them. Accepted generic terms for competitors include sticky notes or repositionable or repositional notes; nonetheless, Post-it note is frequently used as a generic term for any such product. 3M markets other products towards the Post-it note concept, leveraging the success of the brand. As Post-it have been driven towards computerized versions like Stickies or Ptimemo, 3M markets its own software under the name of 'Post-it software note'.
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History
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The original adhesive used in Post-it notes was invented in 1968 by Spencer Silver, a 3M researcher. While attempting to design a strong adhesive, he instead developed an adhesive that was very weak. No immediate application was apparent, until 1974 when a colleague, Arthur Fry, conceived of using the adhesive to create bookmarks while contemplating a hymnal in his church choir, Fry's traditional notes had fallen from his hymn book on multiple occasions giving him the idea of creating Post-it notes. Initial prototypes were available in 1977, and by 1980–1981, after a large sampling campaign, the product had been introduced around the world, being produced exclusively in Cynthiana, Kentucky.
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Post it today
Since 2001, the glue used for Post-its has fallen into public domain and can be produced and marketed by other companies than 3M, lowering its price and making it even more popular. The term "Post-it" is still a trademark of 3M and cannot be used by any other company, whether for commercial use or not. Electronic versions of Post-it have been developed as well since, making it a universal concept. Since they cannot be marketed under the term "Post-it", they often use the term "Stickies" or "Ptimémo" (french).
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Pop culture
In 2000 the 20th anniversary of Post-it notes was celebrated by having artists create their artwork on Post-it notes. One note that was made by artist R.B. Kitaj sold for $925 in an auction, making it the most valuable Post-it note in history.
In the 2003 film Bruce Almighty, Bruce makes all prayers materialize in the form of Post-It Notes, which cover every square inch of surface of the room he is in and everything in the room.
In the Showtime series Dead Like Me, Post-it notes are central to the plot of the show: the grim reapers receive their soul-taking assignments (first initial, last name, address, and estimated time of death) on Post-it notes. As a result, several characters are obsessed with Post-it notes.
In the 2003 Brad Anderson film The Machinist, the lead character is eventually led to the reason behind his insomnia and weight loss by a game of Hangman played on a Post-it note.
A figure on the poster and cassette cover for the 1999 film Office Space is covered from head to toe in Post-it notes, many with various messages.
In the cartoon show Ed, Edd n Eddy , Edd uses Post-it notes to remind himself to buy more Post-it notes and also uses them to communicate with his parents .
Seen affixed to the video monitor of the TARDIS in the renewed UK series Doctor Who (2005 Season).
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