3M Company - 2005 dated Specimen Stock Certificate - Originally the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Specimen Stock printed by American Bank Note Company.

The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, now globally recognized as 3M, was founded in 1902 in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Initially established by five businessmen to mine corundum for abrasive use, the venture faced challenges when the mineral deposits were discovered to be low-grade anorthosite. To overcome this setback, the company pivoted from mining to manufacturing and relocated to Duluth and eventually St. Paul. Early investor Lucius Ordway’s capital and the leadership of figures like William McKnight fostered a culture centered on research and development. This shift led to the creation of groundbreaking products like the world’s first waterproof sandpaper in the early 1920s and Scotch Tape in 1930, transforming the fledgling firm into a household name.

By 2025, 3M had evolved into a diversified multinational conglomerate with over 60,000 products, including Post-it Notes, N95 respirators, and advanced electric vehicle materials. In 2002, the company officially adopted “3M Company� as its legal name to reflect its broad reach beyond its mining origins. In a significant recent strategic shift, 3M completed the spin-off of its healthcare division into a separate company called Solventum in April 2024. As of late 2025, the company is led by CEO William “Bill� Brown and operates across three primary business groups: Safety & Industrial, Transportation & Electronics, and Consumer. 3M continues to prioritize sustainability and material science innovation.