Magnetic Strips Photo Courtesy of Master Magnetics, Inc./The Magnet Source™.

Conformity is a social structure as well as a word that refers to how well certain industrial or commercial products are able to adjust when being combined with other products or surfaces. Both uses of the word have the same essence, although one is philosophical while the other is practical. Conformity within society refers to a person molding themselves to fit into a social group that they would not normally fit in if they let their personalities develop independently of other people’s opinions. Industrial products such as magnetic strips epitomize the word conformity in much the same way but without the negative connotation. Magnetic strips are able to conform to the shape of whatever object they are being attached to, whether that shape is flat or curved, square or straight. The conformity of magnetic strips makes them more attractive in the industrial and commercial market because they can be used in so many ways.

The manufacturing process that creates magnetic strips is a bit different from other magnetic manufacturing processes because of the flexibility required of the strips. Ground down to powder and shaped from that state is similar to the creation of other industrial magnets, but the powdered material for magnetic strips is also mixed with rubber material so it is able to conform to unconventional surfaces. Adhesive is also added to the back of most magnetic strips so that they may be firmly attached to surfaces without fear of following off prematurely.  Although they are used in industrial settings, magnetic strips are more commonly found in residential and commercial settings on the backs of pin-up boards, advertising boards, trade show displays and being used to store a variety of craft supplies and similar products. This style of magnet is present in more places then one would imagine, which is another reason why it is such a wonderful example of the word conformity. The idea as well as the product it describes are both found around every bend in the road.