Obituary: 3M scientist Carl A. Dahlquist helped put the stick in tape

Sure, Carl A. Dahlquist was a pioneer in adhesive research and a member of 3M's prestigious Carlton Society, which has recognized the Maplewood-based company's most-distinguished scientists since 1963.

The North Oaks resident, who died March 31 at the age of 102, even has a scientific principle named after him — the Dahlquist Criterion, used to measure the tackiness of adhesives. He also had nine patents assigned to his name and wrote more than 20 technical papers.

But a colleague characterized Dahlquist's career more succinctly: He brought tape out of the dark ages.

Dahlquist's research made it easier to unroll Scotch tape without it sticking, just one of his contributions to scientific discoveries and advances that helped build 3M into the $30 billion powerhouse it is today.

But Dahlquist, who was born in rural Kanabec County of modest means and of Swedish descent, was never one to boast. "If you met him, you'd find [him] to be a little reserved, very polite — a real gentleman," said Morgan Tamsky, a 3M retiree who worked for Dahlquist.

Dahlquist enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1930 at the age of 16, intent on studying chemical engineering. He studied bacteriology while working at a state operation overseeing canneries, ultimately earning an engineering degree, as well as a double minor in physical chemistry and in microbiology.

He was first hired in 1943 in 3M's Central Research Department, assessing the elasticity and viscosity of pressure-sensitive adhesives. He then moved on to measure the adhesion of tape on all sorts of surfaces.

"Carl was the first researcher to clearly examine the connection between the physical properties of pressure sensitive adhesives and their performance," said Dave Yarusso, 3M corporate scientist. "His meticulous research using techniques that were groundbreaking for that time helped him identify a universal criterion for the 'softness' of the adhesive material in order for it to be tacky.

"The adhesion science community dubbed this the 'Dahlquist Criterion' and it is still widely referenced today," Yarusso said. "Carl has had a lasting impact on generations of scientists through his internal 3M and external publications about his work. He was also extremely approachable and eager to consult with younger scientists both during his career and in his retirement when he continued to consult at 3M."

Jim Dahlquist, of Minneapolis, said his father was a "rock star of adhesives. But to us, he was our dad, just a regular guy."

Dahlquist pursued many avocations with rigor — whether it was Cub Scouts, Bible study, or fly fishing in Montana and Alaska. He was also fluent in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Spanish.

There was some hint of the prestigious nature of his work growing up, his son Jim recalls. "When the Mercury capsule was part of the space industry, NASA had ceramic tiles on the nose cones that would fall off when it re-entered the atmosphere," he said. "They called my dad one day, and he and some carpool colleagues sent NASA a pot of glue."

In the 1950s, 3M named Dahlquist a research associate, meaning he could work on pretty much anything he wanted and attend any technical meeting that struck his fancy. Eventually, he was given a corporate scientist position, helping to develop and refine core technologies in 3M's research and development lab.

One project involved developing a material that reduced the sway of skyscrapers, including the World Trade Center's twin towers. Later in his career he worked on a surface that sought to eliminate blood clotting, as well as plastic catheters intended to replace arteries in the body.

Dahlquist retired from 3M in 1979 after 36 years, but he continued as a consultant for the company until 2002, when he really retired — at the age of 89. His wife of 69 years, Iola, preceded him in death.

Beyond chemistry, he enjoyed spending time with family, including four children, 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, doing crossword and Sudoku puzzles and cheering on the Minnesota Twins. "He knew every statistic of every player, but he never watched the games with the sound on," his son Jim recalled. "He used to say, 'You don't need anyone to explain baseball.' "

Services will be held 2 p.m. April 23 at Waverly Gardens in North Oaks.

Janet Moore • 612-673-7752