A test in Boise, Idaho proved Fry right; in 1980, 3M finally introduced the product nationally, and the little yellow notes soon became ubiquitous, quickly joining paper clips, tape, and file folders as one of the top-selling office products in the U.S. (3M doesn’t release specific sales figures.) Fry, who is now retired, received no special compensation for his invention, but he was eventually but he was promoted to Division Scientist in 1984, and to Corporate Scientist in 1986; the latter title represents the highest technical position that one can achieve on the 3M corporate ladder.

The original Post-It Notes were available in only two sizes – 3 x 5 and 1.5 x 2 – and one color, yellow, which was chosen because it stood out well against white paper and photocopied clearly. But in one of the best examples of the sort of product proliferation and brand extension that has characterized cutting-edge marketing over the last two decades, there are now dozens of varieties of the notes: they come in multiple sizes and colors; they feature special imprints such as cartoon characters, slogans, letterhead, and office forms.

Currently, sixteen different divisions at 3M develop products that bear the Post-It brand name. In addition to the original notes, there are Post-It Super Sticky Notes, Post-It Tape Flags, Post-It Copyable Labels, Post-It Correction and Cover-Up Tape, Post-It Designer Note Organizers, Post-It Designer Tape Flag Dispensers, Post-It Fax Notes, Post-It Labels, Post-It Memoboards, Post-It Mountable Pads, Post-It Note Easel Pads, Post-It Note Keeper Folders, Post-It Note Trays, Post-It Page Markers, Post-It Pop Up Notes, and Post-It Removable Stickers, amongst others.

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