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Citation re. "Post-it" damage



Expanding yesterday's discussions regarding Post-its --

Does anyone have a reliable citation regarding the damage that is/can be
done by Post-it notes and its imitators?  I did a web search, but found
little information.  Below is the most helpful tidbit I found (included in
its entirety for the interesting historical context), but I have not been
able to substantiate this information with a research report or a formal
citation.  Does anyone have more information on this matter?  I'd like to
have a little more ammo than the usual "post-its are bad" stance.

"It did not take long after their introduction in the late 1970's for 3M's
Post-It notes and other self-sticking note tabs to be used by postal
historians and others. To most collectors, this was a means of making notes
about the cover on a connecting self-stick tab, rather than on the cover
itself, and thereby lessening damage to the cover. As a device for holding
an idea or making a temporary note, these self stick note tabs rival the
paper clip in simplicity of design and ease of use.

These note tabs, though, fail as a means of retaining information for
posterity. They have invaded postal history collections and dealers' stocks.
They threaten to damage the items with which they come into contact.

The Post-It note came about when Art Fry, a product development specialist
at the 3M Company and who also sang in his church choir, had a problem. The
paper book marks he used in his hymnal constantly fell out, leaving him
searching for the verses. He remembered that some years before, his
colleague, Dr. Spencer Silver, had discovered a high tack adhesive that was
easy to remove. Mr. Fry soon produced some self sticking book marks at 3M.
After months of testing and market research, the 3M Company began to market
Post-It notes.

Research scientists have carried out tests that show all notes of this type
leave some residue adhesive behind when removed from papers. Analysis shows
that the adhesive used on Post-It notes is an acrylate polymer. Adhesive
left behind will result in pages sticking together. Dirt will accumulate on
the sticky surface, necessitating conservation treatment in order to remove
it.

A competitor's product uses a polybutylene base adhesive. These adhesives
discolor and lose adhesion over time. The adhesive on self stick notes will
also lift some typewriter and electrostatic printing inks and text when
placed over a printed area, particularly after a prolonged period.
[emphasis added]

The paper used for these notes is also of some concern. Most have an
acceptable pH level of 5.0 to 8.3. However, these papers contain lignin,
indicating a low quality wood pulp and/or alumrosin sizing. Both components
contribute to instability and the deterioration of paper. It is recommended
that self-stick notes should not be used on covers or objects of importance
or value." http://www.stamps.org/care/subp15.htm


Ellen Morfei
Corporate Archivist
ACE INA
Routing TL05D
215-640-4904
FAX 215-761-5588


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