Invention of VELCRO® Brand Hook and Loop
VELCRO® Brand hook and loop was invented by Swiss engineer George de Mestral in the 1940s after cockleburs stuck to his pants and his dog’s fur during a hunting trip in the Jura mountains in Switzerland. Under a microscope, he saw that the tiny hooks on the cockleburs engaged with loops in fabric, inspiring a reusable hook-and-loop fastening system.
After years of development, de Mestral patented “Velvet Type Fabric and Method of Producing the Same” in 1955. The VELCRO® name came from two French words: “velour,” meaning velvet, and “crochet,” meaning hook.
Who Invented VELCRO® Brand Tape?
George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, invented the VELCRO® Brand of hook and loop in the 1940s. The idea came to him while hunting in the Jura mountains in Switzerland, where cockleburs stuck to his pants and his dog’s fur.
When de Mestral studied the cockleburs under a microscope, he saw tiny hooks engaging the loops in the fabric of his pants. That observation became the basis for the hook-and-loop fastening system.
How Was VELCRO® Brand Hook and Loop Invented?
De Mestral spent years developing a fabric that mimicked the natural hook-and-loop fastening system he had observed. Working with textile specialists, he experimented with different materials before finding that nylon worked best because of its durability and flexibility.
By 1955, he had patented “Velvet Type Fabric and Method of Producing the Same.” The fastening system became useful because it was versatile, reusable, and strong.
Where Did the Word “VELCRO®” Come From?
De Mestral and his team perfected the manufacturing process and established Velcro S.A. in Switzerland in 1952. The name “VELCRO®” comes from two French words: “velour,” meaning velvet, and “crochet,” meaning hook.
Today, the VELCRO® Brand remains one of the most recognized hook-and-loop fastening systems.
Shop the current VELCRO® Brand hook and loop products.
When Did VELCRO® Shoes Become Popular?
VELCRO® shoes became widely available in the 1960s and 1970s as an alternative to traditional shoelaces. The fastening style was adopted in children’s footwear because it made shoes easier for kids to put on and remove independently.
By the 1980s, major sneaker brands were incorporating VELCRO® straps into athletic shoes. VELCRO® fasteners continue to be used in footwear, including medical shoes, toddler shoes, and adaptive footwear for people with mobility challenges.
VELCRO® Brand Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1940s | George de Mestral discovered cockleburs during a summer walk in the woods and studied how their hooks attached to fabric and fur. |
| 1952 | Velcro S.A. was established in Switzerland. |
| 1955 | De Mestral patented “Velvet Type Fabric and Method of Producing the Same,” Patent #2,717,437. |
| 1957 | Velcro USA opened in Manchester, New Hampshire. |
| 1958 | The Velcro trademark was registered in the United States. |
| 1979 | The original patents expired. |
| 1990 | George de Mestral died. |
Want to learn more about how VELCRO® Brand fasteners work? Visit the HookandLoop.com guide to hook and loop fabric material and its uses.
Additional Resources
Use these references to learn more about George de Mestral, the history of VELCRO® Brand fasteners, and the biomimicry story behind hook and loop.
- George de Mestral — Inventor of VELCRO® Brand fasteners
- VELCRO® Brand overview
- VELCRO® Brand history
- A Brief History of VELCRO® Brand
- George de Mestral inventor biography
- Who Invented VELCRO® Brand?
Invention of VELCRO® Brand FAQs
Q. Who invented VELCRO® Brand fasteners?
A. George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, invented VELCRO® Brand hook and loop after observing how cockleburs stuck to fabric and dog fur.
Q. What plant inspired VELCRO® Brand fasteners?
A. The idea was inspired by cockleburs, which use tiny natural hooks to cling to fabric and fur.
Q. When was VELCRO® Brand patented?
A. George de Mestral patented “Velvet Type Fabric and Method of Producing the Same” in 1955.
Q. Where did the word VELCRO® come from?
A. The name comes from two French words: “velour,” meaning velvet, and “crochet,” meaning hook.
Q. When were VELCRO® shoes first used commercially?
A. The first commercial use of VELCRO® fasteners began in the late 1950s after the patent was granted in 1955, and shoes featuring VELCRO® Brand fasteners became widely available in the 1960s and 1970s.