Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, known as 3M, was established in Two Harbors, MN by Dr. J. Danley Budd, Henry. S. Bryan, William A. McGonagle, John Dwan, and Hermon W. Cable.

In 1905, Edgar Ober took over as the president of 3M when the company was struggling as a sandpaper manufacturer in Duluth, with national ambitions.

In 1907, William L. McKnight joined Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. as an assistant bookkeeper, eventually becoming the future President and Chairman of the Board. McKnight is renowned for shaping 3M's culture of innovation and collaboration.

A new headquarters office was set up in St. Paul, MN, further solidifying the company's presence in the region.

In 1910, 3M relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota, where major investor Lucius Ordway set up the first plant. This move facilitated the company's rapid expansion due to its more central location.

The 3M Three-M-ite Abrasive Cloth was launched as the first exclusive product by 3M.

William L. McKnight was hired by 3M in 1907 and later became a highly influential figure in the company's history.

In 1920, 3M™ developed the world's first waterproof sandpaper, which gained popularity in automobile manufacturing for reducing airborne particles during sanding.

In 1921, 3M patented and introduced the world’s first water-resistant coated abrasive, 3M™ Wetordry™ Waterproof Sandpaper. This innovation allowed automobile manufacturers to use the product with water to reduce dust and friction on auto finishes, improving working conditions for employees.

In 1924, 3M obtained its first patent, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

Richard Drew, a 3M lab assistant, invented Masking Tape after observing painters facing difficulties in masking car parts.

In 1929, the 3M Company registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State as a foreign business corporation, signifying its transformation into a multinational conglomerate corporation.

In 1930, Scotch Cellophane Tape was launched, further expanding 3M's tape product line. This product launch contributed to the company's growing emphasis on product diversity during the 1930s.

Richard Drew, a 3M lab assistant, noticed painters struggling to mask car parts while testing abrasive samples at a body shop. His observation led to the creation of the Scotch® brand tape product.

3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Sheeting was commercially introduced in 1938.

The first traffic sign featuring 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Sheeting was erected in Minneapolis in 1939.

In the early 1940s, 3M's efforts were focused on applying their products to defense materials for World War II.

3M stock was listed for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange in 1946.

In 1947, 3M introduced sandblast stencils as a product that simplified stone carving techniques.

In 1948, 3M™ Sound Recording Tape revolutionized the entertainment industry by enabling consumers to record and playback music and voice recordings at a later time.

The introduction of 3M™ Thermo-Fax™ Copier in 1950 transformed office productivity by allowing the creation of duplicate copies.

In 1951, 3M established its International Division and expanded its operations to Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

In 1954, RCA utilized Scotch® Magnetic Tape by 3M to record television programs for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the entertainment industry.

In 1955, Building 47 was completed, becoming the world's largest abrasives plant for 3M, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 1956, 3M introduced Scotchgard™ Fabric and Upholstery Protector to the textile industry, providing a new level of protection for fabrics.

In 1957, 3M diversified its tape product line by introducing Scotch® Double-Coated Tape, enhancing sticking power for various applications.

By 1958, the 3M campus in Saint Paul had grown to its largest size with over 40 buildings dedicated to various functions like research, development, manufacturing, and marketing.

In 1960, 3M introduced the Micropore Surgical Tape, which was the first hypoallergenic tape and played a significant role in the success of 3M's healthcare business.

3M introduced Scotch® Magic™ Tape, a matte-finish tape that was virtually invisible on light-colored paper and envelopes, allowing users to write on it with pen, pencil, or marker.

The first office building was completed at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN, establishing the company's new global headquarters, where it remains today.

Tartan™ Turf, the first synthetic grass surface, made its debut, marking a futuristic approach to sports fields.

3M's Springfield, Missouri plant opened in 1967 and specializes in producing industrial adhesives and tapes for aerospace manufacturers.

3M introduced the Color-in-Color copying system that produced full-color copies in just one minute, revolutionizing the copying industry. It was later released to consumer markets.

3M products, including 3M™ Fluorel™ Elastomer, a synthetic rubber, were utilized by astronauts during the first moon landing. The elastomer was specifically used in the astronaut's boots worn inside the space capsule.

3M has operated a manufacturing plant in Columbia, Missouri since 1970, producing electronic components, solar and touchscreen films, and stethoscopes.

3M opened the Brookings, South Dakota plant in 1971, focusing on health care products. It announced a $70 million expansion in 2014.

The N95 respirator mask was developed by 3M and approved in 1972. It became crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its ability to filter viral particulates, leading to supply shortages.

3M establishes the first van-pooling program in the United States in Maplewood, MN, which later expanded to other states. Over 22 years, the program successfully reduced more than 58 million vehicle miles.

In 1975, 3M introduced the Pollution Prevention Pays program, enabling employees to lead the company's sustainability initiatives. The program has successfully eliminated over a billion pounds of pollution and saved billions in costs.

3M becomes a part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, gaining recognition in the stock market.

In 1977, 3M launched 'Press 'n Peel', a sticky bookmark page holder that later evolved into the iconic 'Post-Its' product.

In 1978, the blue 3M logo was replaced with a new, rounded logo in a specially formulated color known as 3M Red.

In 1979, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Thermal Insulation was introduced, with over 30 clothing manufacturers immediately adopting this product to keep people warm.

In 1980, 3M introduced Post-it® Notes, revolutionizing communication and organization behavior with a new product category in the market.

In 1983, the Oakdale Dump in Oakdale, Minnesota, where 3M dumped waste, was listed as an EPA Superfund site due to groundwater and soil contamination.

In 1984, 3M became the first wholly-owned, foreign-invested enterprise in China, marking a significant milestone in its international expansion.

In 1990, the Post-it® Note product line expanded from yellow to include four new colors, broadening the range of options available to consumers.

Nexcare™ Active™ Strips Flexible Foam Bandages made their debut in 1994, offering extra sticking power to perspiring skin with water-resistant adhesive, catering to active individuals.

In 1995, 3M launched its first website, providing customers with access to a wealth of information on 3M programs, products, and technologies, marking the company's online presence.

Six years after the expansion of colors, neon colors were introduced to the Post-it® Note product line, adding a vibrant and eye-catching option for users.

In 1997, Scotch® introduced Pop-Up Tape Strips and Dispensers, providing customers with pre-cut tape pieces for a hands-free gift wrapping experience.

In 1999, 3M announced the phase-out of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) production, a significant move in response to environmental concerns.

In 2002, as 3M celebrated its centennial anniversary, the legal name was changed to '3M Company' from the original 'Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company'.

In 2004, 3M achieved a significant milestone with sales exceeding $20 billion, driven by the success of new products like Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, Scotch® Transparent Duct Tape, and Scotch-Brite® Cleaning Products.

In 2006, 3M divested its pharmaceutical unit through three deals, generating over US$2 billion in revenue.

In 2007, 3M opened its seventh plant in Shanghai, which was the first dedicated to health care product production.

Scientists created a revolutionary ultra-compact LED-illuminated projection engine for personal electronic devices. This innovation was integrated into products like the 3M Micro Professional Mpro 110 projector, leading to advancements in projection technology.

In late 2010, the state of Minnesota sued 3M for $5 billion in punitive damages due to the release of PFCs into local waterways, classified as toxic by the EPA.

3M initiated the construction of its ninth manufacturing facility in Hefei in 2011, focusing on the production of photovoltaics and other renewable energy products.

3M purchased the Office and Consumer Products Division of Avery Dennison for $550 million, but later canceled the transaction in September 2012 due to antitrust concerns.

3M sold Scientific Anglers and Ross Reels to Orvis in May 2013. Ross Reels had been acquired by 3M in 2010.

In 2014, 3M achieved a significant milestone by receiving its 100,000th patent, showcasing its dedication to innovation with a steady flow of patents granted annually.

In 2015, 3M was recognized for its sustainability efforts by being named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the 16th consecutive year.

In March 2016, 3M completed a 400,000-square-foot research-and-development building on its Maplewood campus to enhance collaboration among 700 scientists from various divisions.

3M acquired Johnson Controls International Plc's safety gear business, Scott Safety, for $2 billion in March 2017.

Michael F. Roman was appointed CEO of 3M on May 25, 2018.

3M announced the acquisition of M*Modal's technology business for $1.0 billion on December 19, 2018.

In October 2019, 3M purchased Acelity and its KCI subsidiaries for $6.7 billion.

On May 1, 2020, 3M divested its drug delivery business to Altaris Capital Partners, LLC for approximately $650 million.

In December 2020, 3M reported its CO2 emissions and plans to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

3M announced the merger of its food-safety business with Neogen in December 2021, with an enterprise value of about $5.3 billion.

In July 2022, 3M announced the spin-off of its healthcare assets to form a new independent firm, retaining a 19.9% ownership stake.

In December 2022, 3M announced plans to halt the production and use of forever chemicals due to environmental and health concerns.

In August 2023, 3M settled close to 260,000 lawsuits by agreeing to pay $6 billion to affected U.S. military members due to defective earplugs.

On March 12, 2024, William 'Bill' Brown was appointed as the new CEO of 3M, succeeding Michael F. Roman.