Gaea stationery class “ glue stick birth”
Traditional Adhesives and Their Limitations
Before the glue stick revolution, people relied on various traditional adhesives, which often had many shortcomings. 😕
Liquid glue, pastes, and even natural substances like tree sap were all used to stick things together. This was the origin of glue.
These adhesives also have quite a few drawbacks. One obvious one is that if there are too many contents in the magazine, the bonding quality cannot be guaranteed. Maybe what was stuck in the morning will fall off in the afternoon.
Although liquid glue is effective, it is well known that it is difficult for us to control the amount of glue that comes out. Who hasn't experienced the disaster of accidentally squeezing out too much glue and having it everywhere? 🙈
On the other hand, pastes usually dry out or clump up quickly, which makes them less suitable for daily use. 🎨💦
According to a study by the Adhesive and Sealant Council of the United States, in the 1950s, traditional liquid adhesives accounted for over 90% of the consumer adhesive market. However, with the progress of society and the demand for more convenient solutions, their limitations have become increasingly apparent.
As the world moves faster and people's lives become busier, the need for more user-friendly adhesives is also increasing. For instance, early parents were tired of cleaning up the spilled glue from their children's craft projects, while office workers at that time dreamed of a way to stick paper together without the risk of getting their fingers stuck. 💼📄
From education to business, the demand for portable and pure adhesive solutions is becoming increasingly evident in all fields. Just imagine trying to glue something together on a bumpy bus or during a busy meeting.
This growing demand laid the foundation for a revolutionary invention that will forever change the game rules of adhesives.
Early attempts to manufacture solid adhesives
Innovators and chemists were not blind to the limitations of liquid adhesives; they made several attempts to create more convenient alternatives.
Although this is a step in the right direction, it still does not solve all the problems related to liquid glue.
In the 1930s, scientists at Johnson & Johnson developed a heat-sensitive adhesive for bandages, which was a precursor to the technology that eventually led to glue sticks. This innovation demonstrated that solid adhesives were possible, but it would take several decades before someone cracked the code for a truly convenient and versatile solid glue.
The emergence of the glue stick that we know and love today was fraught with tricky situations and chaotic experiments. But isn't that the case for all great inventions?
Test tube💡Laughing face
The glue stick as we know it today was born in a flash of inspiration in the mind of German chemist Dr. Wolfgang Dierichs in the late 1960s. Legend has it that Dr. Dierichs' inspiration came from an unlikely source - his wife applying lipstick!
Lipstick
When he watched her apply makeup effortlessly, he thought, "Why can't we apply glue in the same way?" This simple observation led to a revolutionary idea that would forever change the world of adhesives. Surprisingly, everyday moments can inspire such breakthrough innovations 😊
The team experimented with various formulas and tested different combinations of ingredients to achieve the perfect balance of adhesion, consistency and ease of use. They also had to design an appropriate container to keep the glue fresh and allow for smooth application.
Bond for ever , Color for future