Velcro, the popular hook-and-loop fastening system, was invented by Swiss engineer George de Mestral in the 1940s. Here’s the story behind its invention:
De Mestral, an avid outdoorsman, went on a hunting trip in the Swiss Alps in 1941. Upon returning, he noticed that burrs (seeds) from plants were stuck to his clothing and his dog’s fur. Curious about the burrs’ ability to cling, he examined them under a microscope.
De Mestral observed that the burrs had tiny hooks that caught onto the loops of the fabric or fur, allowing them to stick. This natural phenomenon inspired him to create a fastening system that mimicked the burr’s mechanism.
De Mestral experimented with different materials and designs, trying to replicate the burr’s hook-and-loop system. He faced numerous challenges, including finding the right materials that would work effectively as hooks and loops, and developing a process to mass-produce the hook-and-loop system. Starting with cotton, he finally settled for a new product called nylon introduced in the market in the mid-1930s, as he found it a strong, durable, cost-effective, versatile and low-maintenance material.
After about eight years of experimentation, de Mestral finally developed a functional hook-and-loop fastening system. He named it “Velcro,” a combination of the words “velvet” and “crochet (hook in French),” and presented it in 1955.
Velcro, which de Mestral described as ‘zipperless zipper’, revolutionised various industries, including:
- Fashion: Velcro replaced traditional fastening methods, such as zippers and buttons, in clothing and accessories.
- Medicare: Velcro is used in medical devices, such as blood pressure cuffs and orthotics.
- Aerospace: Velcro’s ease of use and reliability made it an ideal fastening solution for astronauts’ suits and equipment.
George de Mestral’s invention of Velcro has had a lasting impact on several other industries. The hook-and-loop fastening system continues to be widely used today, and its versatility has led to numerous applications beyond its original purpose.
Velcro is a prime example of biomimicry, where human inventions are inspired by nature’s solutions.
In September 2023, Swiss Post honoured the work of George de Mestral with a stamp featuring his invention. A Velcro fastener was incorporated in the stamp motif. Image courtesy WRS – Swiss Radio in English (https://www.worldradio.ch/)