Dayton's Bluff in Saint Paul in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Scotch Brand

The Origins of "Scotch"

Photographed by McGhiever, June 26, 2019

1. The Origins of "Scotch" marker

Inscription. "Scotch" as a brand name for 3M tapes is believed to have its origins in a disgruntled auto-body painter who was using the new 3M masking tape. It was not sticking properly because it was not entirely coated with adhesive backing. He told a salesman to take the tape back to his "stingy Scotch bosses" and use more adhesive.

The story may be embellished, but the masking tape was improved and "Scotch" was soon put into use as a brand name.

In 1945, the company adopted the red, green, and yellow plaid pattern, based on the Wallace clan tartan, with the advice of New York color consultant Arthur Allen.

Scottie, the mascot figure, began to appear in company advertising in 1946.

The two billionth role of "Scotch" masking tape was produced in 1957, 30 years after it went into mass production.

Herbert Buetow holds the gold-core, two-billionth roll of commercial size "Scotch" masking tape as William L. McKnight and Richard Drew look on.

Erected by the 3M Company. (Marker Number SF-22.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 44° 57.816′ N,

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93° 3.807′ W. Marker is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Dayton's Bluff. It can be reached from 7th Street East near Minnehaha Avenue East. Located in Beacon Bluff, an art and history park on part of the grounds of the former 3M complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 895 7th St E, Saint Paul MN 55106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: People & Times: 3M & Saint Paul's East Side (a few steps from this marker); 3M, a Family Affair (a few steps from this marker); "The Mining" (a few steps from this marker); 3M Vision & Growth (a few steps from this marker); The 3M Story (a

Marker west of 895 7th Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 26, 2019

2. Marker west of 895 7th Street

few steps from this marker); Marketing 3M & Its Products (within shouting distance of this marker); Creation and Development of 3M (within shouting distance of this marker); 3M & Saint Paul (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Paul.

Also see . . . The History of Scotch Tape. ThoughtCo website entry (Submitted on September 18, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on September 19, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.