01 May 2008

Did You Know ...

... the origin of velcro?

The hook-loop fastener was invented in 1947 by Swiss engineer, George de Mestral who lived in Commugny, Switzerland. The idea came to him after he took a close look at the burrs (seeds) of burdock which kept sticking to his clothes and his dog's fur on their daily summer walks in the Alps. He examined their condition and saw the possibility of binding two materials reversibly in a simple fashion.[1][2] He developed the hook and loop fastener and submitted his idea for patent in 1951 and the patent was granted in 1955.[3] De Mestral named his invention "Velcro" after the French words velours, meaning 'velvet', and crochet, or 'hook'.

Thanks George for such a great, albeit scratchy, product! :)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

OH NO YOU DIDN"T! She went and stole my thunder like that. I'm gonna venture to say you have no idea what you've started. Next time I'll make sure your little Wikipedia can't save you!!! Whatever am I going to do with you? HMMMM.

Erin said...

oh but I did!!!!! The kids I work with at the church would say, "oh snap!"

Tim said...

Ha! Good one Erin! Told you I wasn't old enough to remember when it was invented!

I was right about the vel and cro part though. ;)