Invention of VELCRO® Brand Hook and Loop
Who invented VELCRO® Brand tape?
The VELCRO® Brand of hook and loop was invented by a man named George de Mestral in the 1940s while hunting in the Jura mountains in Switzerland. Mr. de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, realized that the tiny hooks of the cockleburs were stuck on his pants and in his dog's fur and wondered how they attached themselves. Under the scrutiny of the microscope, he observed the hooks engaging the loops in the fabric of his pants.
How Was VELCRO® Invented?
George de Mestral spent years developing a fabric that mimicked the natural hook-and-loop fastening system he observed. Working with textile specialists, he experimented with different materials before finding that nylon worked best due to its durability and flexibility. By 1955, he had successfully patented the "Velvet Type Fabric and Method of Producing the Same".
This revolutionary fastening system became popular due to its versatility, reusability, and strength, and it has since been used in industries ranging from fashion to aerospace.
What is VELCRO®, and 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 the combination of two French words:
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"Velour" (meaning velvet)
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"Crochet" (meaning hook)
Thus, the VELCRO® Brand was born. Today, it remains one of the most widely used fastening systems across various industries.
Shop the current VELCRO® Brand hook and loop products.
When Did VELCRO® Shoes Come Out?
VELCRO® shoes became widely available in the 1960s and 1970s, primarily as an alternative to traditional shoelaces. The innovation was quickly adopted in children's footwear, making it easier for kids to put on and remove their shoes independently.
By the 1980s, major sneaker brands began incorporating VELCRO® straps into athletic shoes, further popularizing the convenience of hook-and-loop closures. Today, VELCRO® fasteners continue to be used in footwear, particularly in medical shoes, toddler shoes, and adaptive footwear for people with mobility challenges.
VELCRO® Brand Timeline
1940s - Summer walk in the woods, discovers cockleburs
1952 - Velcro S.A. established in Switzerland
1955 - Patents "Velvet Type Fabric and Method of Producing The Same" Patent #2,717,437 with the Swiss government.
1957 - Velcro USA opened in Manchester, NH
1958 - Velcro trademark registered in the United States
1979 - Original patents expire
1990 - George de Mestral dies
Want to learn more about how the VELCRO® Brand works? Check out our informational page on hook and loop fabric material and its many uses!
Additional Resources
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George de Mestral Inventor of VELCRO® Brand
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Wikipedia Wikipedia entry on VELCRO® Brand
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YouTube David Letterman VELCRO ® Brand Wall
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Article in Time.com
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Today I Found Out.com Article about VELCRO® Brand
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George de Mestral Bio on the inventor of VELCRO® Brand
Additional FAQs:
Q. When was VELCRO® first used?
A. The first commercial use of VELCRO® fasteners began in the late 1950s after the patent was granted in 1955.
Q. What plant did VELCRO® come from?
A. The idea for VELCRO® was inspired by the cocklebur plant, which uses natural hooks to cling onto fabric and fur.
Q. What problems did VELCRO® solve?
A. It provided a reliable, easy-to-use, and reusable fastening solution that replaced traditional buttons, zippers, and shoelaces.
Q. What animal inspired VELCRO®?
A. While VELCRO® was inspired by plants, animals like dogs helped George de Mestral make the discovery when cockleburs stuck to their fur.
Q. Which invention was inspired by a burr?
A. VELCRO® was directly inspired by the structure of cockleburs, making it one of the most famous examples of biomimicry in product design.