Since its founding as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in 1902, 3M (rebranded officially in 2002) has made scientific and technical innovations to launch more than 60,000 products used today in homes, hospitals, schools, and other industries. The original Thinsulate™ Insulation was launched in 1979 and 3M continues to innovate in this space. In 2015, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Featherless Insulation was announced as a kinder alternative to feather down made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles.