Hook & Loop Velcro Definition
From kids' shoes to suitcases, Velcro is found in many aspects of everyday life. Velcro is just a brand name; what we know as "Velcro" is more accurately described as fabric hook-and-loop fastener.
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History
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In 1941, George de Mestral, an engineer from Switzerland, went on a walk with his dog. When they came back, they were both covered with burrs. De Mestral was interested in how something so small could grip so tightly. He took one of the burrs' tiny pods and examined it under a microscope. He found tiny barbs, which allowed the seed to easily hook onto anything that created a natural loop, like fabric or hair. De Mestral decided this technique could be used to create a new way to bond fabrics. Fourteen years later, de Mestral patented his invention. He combined the words "velour" and "crochet" and called the invention "Velcro."
Original Uses
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De Mestral originally thought Velcro would be very popular in clothing, but people didn't like it because it appeared cheap. The popularity of Velcro took off when space suit designers realized that the new material would be a good alternative to cumbersome zippers, snaps and buttons. After that, it became popular in ski suits and scuba gear.
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Modern Uses
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Today, Velcro has many uses. It is used in tennis shoes, especially those designed for young children who have not yet learned to tie their own laces. To organize cords and cables, purchase a double-sided Velcro strip, which sticks to itself. People even enjoy a recreational sport inspired by de Mestral's invention called Velcro jumping in which they wear Velcro-covered suits and jump onto Velcro walls.
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References
- Photo Credit velcro image by Fuzzphoto from Fotolia.com
