In today's digital age where a simple 'undo' command fixes our mistakes, it's easy to forget the frustration that once accompanied every typographical error. For generations of typists and office workers, a single mistake could mean restarting an entire document - until one determined Australian woman changed everything.
The Problem That Sparked an Innovation
During the 1950s, Bette Nesmith worked as an executive secretary in Dallas, where she faced the daily challenge of error-free typing. The situation became even more difficult with the arrival of new IBM electric typewriters. These machines featured sensitive keypads that increased typing errors, while their carbon ribbons made corrections nearly impossible without leaving unsightly smudges.
Nesmith, a single mother supporting her family, observed how bank workers painted over errors on windows and wondered why the same principle couldn't apply to typing mistakes. With no formal chemistry training, she turned to her local library for research and began experimenting with formulas at home.
From Kitchen Experiment to Business Empire
Using her kitchen blender, Nesmith mixed a batch of white, water-based tempera paint that she poured into empty nail polish bottles. She brought her homemade correction fluid to work, discreetly using it to cover her typing errors. Her invention didn't remain secret for long.
By 1957, Nesmith was selling 100 bottles per month of her product, initially called 'Mistake Out'. She converted her garage into a small factory where her son and his friends helped fill the glass bottles. With assistance from her son's chemistry teacher and a local paint shop, she continually improved the formula.
Ironically, Nesmith's typing career ended when she signed a letter 'Bette Nesmith, Mistake Out Company', which led to her dismissal. This setback became the catalyst for her to focus entirely on her growing business. In 1958, she officially registered the name Liquid Paper.
The Meteoric Rise of an Office Essential
The growth of Liquid Paper was nothing short of remarkable. By 1967, the company achieved its first $1 million in sales. The following year, they were selling one million bottles annually, and by 1975, that number had skyrocketed to 25 million bottles per year.
Nesmith's invention arrived at the perfect time, as offices worldwide were expanding and the demand for error-free documentation was growing. Her product became an essential tool in every typing pool and office environment.
An interesting footnote to the story involves Nesmith's son, Michael Nesmith, who became famous as a member of the popular 1960s band The Monkees. The family's creative talents clearly extended beyond office supplies into the entertainment industry.
Even in our digital era, correction fluids like Liquid Paper, Wite-Out, and Tipp-Ex remain available, serving as tangible reminders of a time when fixing mistakes required more than a keyboard shortcut. Bette Nesmith's story stands as a testament to Australian ingenuity and the power of observing everyday problems with fresh eyes.
