As the Scotch™ Brand marks its 100-year milestone, the legacy feels bigger than a birthday. It’s a reminder, and a challenge, for an entire industry navigating rapid change. Brands that lead don’t simply make great products; they pivot, they listen, and they innovate ahead of emerging consumer needs. Few companies embody this truth more consistently than Scotch™ Brand.

To understand how a century-old brand continues to feel so current, we sat down with Emily Hiner, Shopper Marketing Leader at 3M, whose perspective offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Scotch™ Brand has stayed not just relevant, but iconic. 

“Scotch™ Brand has always been about solving everyday problems in clever, practical ways,” says Emily. “After a century, people still reach for Scotch™ Tape without even thinking about it. It’s part of daily life. The brand stands for trust, reliability, and ingenuity.” 

That brand trust is no accident. It’s the result of consistent, purposeful innovation and a willingness to adapt as the world changes. A lesson many in today’s marketplace would do well to revisit. 

A Legacy Born from a Real Customer Problem 

Nearly a century ago, Scotch™ Brand began not with a product brief, but with a need voiced directly from the field. Auto painters needed clean lines without damaging surfaces, and the market lacked a solution. 

What emerged was a deceptively simple invention: a two-inch strip of lightly adhesive paper. Functional. Thoughtful. Insight-driven. 

And most importantly: created as a direct response to the customer’s problem. 

This foundational mindset would go on to define Scotch™ Brand for decades: solving with purpose, anticipating needs, and setting new performance expectations for the category. 

Iconic Innovations Across the Decades 

Throughout its history, Scotch™ Brand has introduced products that solved real frustrations, simplified tasks, and opened creative possibilities across homes, classrooms, and worksites. Among the standouts: 

• 1930s – Scotch™ Transparent Tape: A clean, discreet way to seal and repair items, now a household staple. 
• 1960s – Scotch™ Magic™ Tape: Matte finish, easy-to-write-on surface; became a go-to item in almost every home. 
• 1980s – ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape: Clean lines without damage; a favorite of professionals and DIYers. 
• 1990s – Scotch™ Packaging Tape: The clear-to-the-core design made shipping simpler and more secure. 

Today, that legacy continues with modern innovations like ScotchBlue™ PROSharp Painter’s Tape, double-sided mounting tapes, and Box Lock™ Tape — made from recycled fibers for an eco-friendly edge. These innovations demonstrate something critical: even the simplest tools evolve when a brand stays close to consumer behavior and ahead of growing demands for efficiency, sustainability, and versatility. 

Innovation Under Pressure: The WWII Pivot 

A powerful example of Scotch™ Brand’s adaptive DNA emerged during World War II. At a time when supply chains strained and industrial demands surged, nearly all tape production shifted to the war effort. 

Over 100 new tape types were developed to meet urgent needs — sealing, insulating, assembling, protecting. And out of that pressure came a major breakthrough: double-sided tape, now indispensable across countless industries. 

This period wasn’t just about meeting demand; it was about responding to an unprecedented global challenge with creativity and agility. A trait that still defines leading brands today. 

Emily’s Favorite Household Tape 

For Emily Hiner, the story of Scotch™ Brand is more than a professional one. Her favorite product, Scotch™ Heavy Duty Packaging Tape, represents what the brand does best: dependable performance that makes everyday tasks easier. 

“It’s a product that always performs,” Emily says. “Whether I’m shipping packages, organizing at home, or tackling creative projects, I know it’ll do the job.” 

That reliability is exactly what has made Scotch™ Brand a household favorite for generations. Trusted tools that support creativity, problem-solving, and the confidence to take on any project. 

“It’s my go-to for everything,” Emily says. “I once built a marble ramp out of plates for a kids’ project and reached straight for my tape. It held everything perfectly. Even my kids know — this is Mom’s tape.” 

A Century Marked by Innovation — and a Mandate for the Future 

Scotch™ Brand’s 100-year story is proof of what happens when a brand refuses to settle. It’s a blueprint for staying relevant in an increasingly dynamic market:  

Innovate relentlessly, stay close to customer needs, and never assume yesterday’s solution will be enough for tomorrow. 

As the industry looks ahead, the message is clear: 

The brands that will define the next century are those willing to re-evaluate, re-invent, and stay in tune with the humans who use their products. Scotch™ Brand isn’t just celebrating a milestone — it’s modeling what leadership looks like. 

Celebrate and Share the Legacy 

• Share the story. Highlight Emily Hiner’s connection to Scotch™ Brand and celebrate 100 years of innovation, creativity, and everyday problem-solving with the full video and short clips.
• Explore the full flyer: A Tape for Every Task — featuring Scotch™ Brand products that deliver reliable solutions for shipping, packaging, crafting, and more. 
• Promote the legacy. Use this milestone to engage customers with the trusted products that have made Scotch™ Brand a household favorite for a century.