Patsy Sherman

Patsy Sherman was born in 1930 in Minnesota. After receiving her bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics she went to work for 3M Corporation. She was assigned to the new field of fluorochemicals and polymers with the view of developing a form of synthetic rubber for aircraft hoses. One day someone accidentally spilled some of the experimental compound. No matter how they tried Sherman and her lab partners could not remove the spilled substance. It was then that Sherman and her partner Sam Smith hit upon the idea of using a form of the compound as a coating for fabrics. Sherman and Smith spent over seven years perfecting the compound. Scotchguard, the fabric protector was water, oil and fluid repellent. Launched in 1956 Scotchguard has remained the leader in the area of protective compounds used on furniture, carpets and fabrics. Patsy Sherman's name is the first on the list of sixteen other patent holders for Scotchguard.

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