Patsy O'Connell Sherman
Personal Information
Born: 1930
Died: 2008
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Gustavus Adolphus College BS Chemistry & Mathematics 1952
Professional Life
Field of Study: Chemistry; Inventor
Institution/Corporation: 3M
Degrees & Memberships: Member: Board of Directors National Inventors Hall of Fame; American Chemical Society
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2001 National Inventors Hall of Fame; 1989 Minnesota Science & Technology Hall of Fame; 1991 Joseph M. Biedenbach Distinguished Service Award American Society for Engineering Education; 1975 Distinguished Alumni Citation Recipient for Scientific Research; 1974 Carleton Society 3Ms Hall of Fame
Achievements: co-inventor of Scotchgard
Co-inventor of Scotchgard
1st woman inducted into 3-Ms Carlton society (1974)
Took an aptitude test in high school that said she was most suited to be a housewife; insisted she be allowed to take the test given to boys & those results showed dentistry or science as potential career paths
Began her career at 3M & was tasked with developing a rubber that could be used for jet fuel hoses; spilled a sample of fluorochemical rubber on a colleagues she & couldn't get it off; over time noticed the spot didn't get dirty or stained; subsequently developed into Scotchgard
Mid-1980s, developed 3M's technical education department
During the development of Scotchgard in the 1950s she had to wait outside the textile mill used for testing before she was given the results because women weren't allowed inside the mill
Worked at 3M over 40 years
Held 16 patents