Minnesota Public Radio slideshow:
Part 1: The science
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3M chemist Patsy Sherman discovered the substance that would become known as Scotchgard in the 1950s. In the lab one day, Sherman spilled a mixture on a lab assistant's tennis shoe. The stain turned out to be impervious to water, soap and scrubbing. (Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society)

3M chemist Patsy Sherman discovered the substance that would become known as Scotchgard in the 1950s. In the lab one day, Sherman spilled a mixture on a lab assistant's tennis shoe. The stain turned out to be impervious to water, soap and scrubbing.

(Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society)
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