Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to Patsy Sherman Innovative Lives Presentation

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0599
Creators:
Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.
Sherman, Patsy
Dates:
March 12, 1997.
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.35 Cubic feet
3 boxes
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Videohistory contains original and reference videos and photographs documenting a lecture program for children by Patsy Sherman, inventor of Scotchgard.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is divided into four series.
Series 1: Original Videos
Series 2: Master Videos
Series 3: Reference Videos
Series 4: Photographs

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Patsy Sherman was born in Minnesota. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1952, Sherman was employed by 3M Company. At 3M, Sherman and a fellow researcher, Samuel Smith attempted to create a new synthetic material to use with jet fuel. During their experiments, Patsy accidentally spilled some of the compound on her tennis shoe and noticed that the shoe remained clean. This discovery led to the development of Scotchguard. Scotchguard is a compound used worldwide to repel soil on sofas, chairs, tablecloths, clothing, and other objects that are used daily. Patsy Sherman's name appears on 16 patents awarded to 3M for their inventions. She has been awarded numerous honors for her achievements and was inducted into the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame in 1989. She retired from 3M in 1992.

Administration

Author
Alison L. Oswald
Ownership and Custodial History
This videodocumentation was created by the Innovative Lives Program of the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation March 12, 1997. Transferred to the Archives Center July 8, 1997.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Created by the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Innovation and Invention, National Museum of American History, 1997.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Alison Oswald, July 16, 1997.

Using the Collection

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions. Signed releases on file.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but the original videos are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Patsy Sherman Innovative Lives Presentation, March 12, 1997, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Chemistry -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Chemists -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Innovative Lives Program (NMAH public program series) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Inventions -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Inventors -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scotchgard Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Slides Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Textile fabrics -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Videotapes -- 1990-2000 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women chemists -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women inventors Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women inventors -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
3M Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smith, Samuel Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu