Who Invented Quick And Easy Velcro?

By Author: Jorge Reis
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Velcro is one of those wonderful inventions that has people wondering how we managed before someone invented Velcro. It is on everything from doll clothing to on the space shuttles and everything in between. Even diapers use Velcro to replace the sticky tape. It just works and makes it easy to adjust. Most kids Halloween costumes use Velcro. Think about how many items in your life use Velcro. We all use it but have you ever wondered who invented Velcro? Here are some interesting facts about Velcro.

• Velcro is a two layer hook and loop fastener
o Hook side †a piece of fabric covered with tiny hooks
o Loop side †a piece of fabric covered with small hairy looking loops.
• Press the two sides together and the hooks catch on to the loops. This holds the pieces together.
• Pulling them apart results in a ripping sound.
• The word Velcro is a combination of the first three letters of the French words velour and crochet.
o Velour in English is velvet
o Crochet in English is hook
• Velcro ...
... is a registered trade mark in most countries
• The word Velcro is used to describe all variations of hook and loop fasteners. Not just the ones trademarked under Velcro.
• Velcro has also been called hook and loop, burr and touch fasteners.
• Manchester, New Hampshire, USA is where the Velcro Company has its headquarters.
• The original sample was created using cotton.
• Most commonly used fibers to make Velcro are man-made Nylon and Polyester.
• Velcro used on the space shuttles are made of Teflon loops, polyester hook with glass backing.
• There is an odd variation of Velcro available that has hooks on both sides instead of one side with hooks and the other with loops.
• Velcro was invented in 1941
• It took 10 years to go from creating the idea to being able to design the equipment to mass-produce it.
o Mechanizing the weaving of the specialized hooks took 8 years.
o Creating a loom that trimmed the loops after waving them took 1 year.
• A patent for Velcro was submitted in Switzerland in 1951
• The Velcro patent was granted in 1955
• George de Mestral invented Velcro
o George de Mestral was a Swiss engineer
o He lived in Commugny, Switzerland
o George de Mestral was inspired by burrs. The seeds of burdock that sticks to everything.
o He noticed that the hook of the seeds caught onto anything with a loop
About Author:
Jorge Reis is the author of Who invented velcro and History of Cosmetology.