Correction fluid, also popular as liquid paper, is a famous solution people use it to mask errors made during typing or writing. It’s a type of white paint or ink that helps cover up mistakes before submitting papers. The people who commonly use it are students, faculty members, and business professionals alike.

This handy tool allows for a quick and easy fix to typos or other mistakes. It also ensures that final documents look clean and are error-free. In 1951, Bette Nesmith Graham created a revolutionary invention known as liquid paper. We will cover in this article which item was invented by a secretary and later sold for $47 million dollars?

As a bank secretary, she faced the problem of making typing mistakes and needing a quick way to correct them. She decided to experiment with various formulas until she discovered a successful one, which she developed in her kitchen.

 Her invention changed the way people corrected mistakes in a written document. This helped her become a successful entrepreneur and an inspiration for many women entrepreneurs.

What are the Various Types of Liquid Paper? 

Paper: Liquid is a type of fluid that is transparent and people primarily use it to cover up mistakes. They sell it in small bottles that you easily open. After the paint dries, you can erase the previous mistakes, and overwrite the new information. This process is a simple and efficient way to rectify mistakes that are typically permanent.

Tape: Corrective tape and corrective pen are two types of liquid paper. People commonly use it to fix errors in written work. Corrective tape is a transparent white tape that you can apply over a mistake. It will allow you to quickly write over it once you apply pressure.

Pen: the corrective pen is a larger pen that contains liquid paper. Before using the pen to correct an error, be sure to shake it well and allow the correction to dry. These tools are both accessible and effective ways to correct mistakes in written work.

Various individuals including students, professionals, typists, and adults commonly use Liquid Paper. It is readily available at a range of stores such as grocery stores, stationery stores, Walmart, convenience stores, and supply stores like Staples. However, it may come as a surprise that a secretary invented this valuable item. 

Who is the Creator of Liquid Paper?

Bette Nesmith Graham, a woman hailing from Dallas, Texas, invented Liquid Paper. Born in 1924, Bette’s childhood was marked by the loss of her father when she was just six years old. To help make ends meet, Bette had to leave school and start working.

At the age of 22, Bette was employed as a secretary at Texas Bank and Trust. During her work, she encountered a situation where she made an error while typing a letter, and she didn’t have any corrective tools.

In her moment of frustration, she resorted to using a variety of art supplies, such as gum-based paint, water-based paint, and tacky cement tones, that she found in the supply closet to cover up the mistake. To make this possible, she used a mixer in her kitchen.

After successfully using a quick-drying paint to fix a mistake in her letter, Bette realized that others may also benefit from her invention. She recognized that many people make errors while typing and saw a potential market for her solution. With the help of her brother, she began selling bottles of “Slip up out” directly out of the trunk of their car.

Interesting Facts about the Liquid Paper

Bette Nesmith Graham created a product called “Mistake Out” in 1951, which people later renamed “Liquid Paper.” It quickly gained popularity and within a few years, Bette had built a successful business empire. She started mass-producing the product in a factory in 1958, and her company continued to grow rapidly, making her a millionaire.

Eventually, in 1979, Bette decided to sell her company to Gillette for an impressive $47 million. Despite her success, Bette’s died by cancer in 1980. Nevertheless, her invention, “Liquid Paper,” remains a popular tool for people all over the world.

Interesting Facts Related to Bette Nesmith

Bette Nesmith, a native of Dallas, Texas, was born in 1924. Despite having to leave school early, she went on to create Liquid Paper, a product that would make her a millionaire. During the production process, she encountered issues with mistakes and began keeping track of them to correct them.

This led her to develop the idea of Liquid Paper, which allowed her to either get rid of mistakes or fix them. Her invention ultimately proved to be a success and led to her becoming a respected business leader worth $25 million.

Final Words: Which Item Was Invented by A Secretary and Later Sold for $47 Million Dollars? 

Bette Nesmith Graham was a remarkable woman who faced numerous challenges in her life. She had to leave high school to provide for her family as a single mother. However, despite these difficulties, Bette went on to invent one of the most widely used and successful products in history – Liquid Paper. Her invention revolutionized the world and serves as an inspiration to many.

Bette’s life story is a remarkable testament to the power of determination and hard work in realizing one’s dreams. Despite facing numerous obstacles and setbacks along the way, she managed to achieve her aspirations and leave a lasting impact on the world.

Her story serves as an inspiration to all of us, reminding us that with perseverance and effort, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges and reach our goals. Furthermore, it is worth noting that if you have ever made a typo while typing or writing, Bette played a part in making it easier for you to correct it.