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Who Was the Inventor of Velcro? 10 Things to Know

In a world where practicality and inventiveness dwell peacefully, one invention stands out as a true game-changer: Velcro! In a way that resembles a mystical tapestry of modern engineering, Velcro has revolutionized how we fasten, secure, and simplify our lives.

This innovative design, which drew its inspiration from nature’s wonders, mimics the firm grip of wild burrs, transforming a simple concept into a captivating solution that endures.

The hook and loop fastener he dubbed Velcro was invented by a Swiss electrical engineer named George de Mestral. He was born on June 19, 1907, and died on February 8, 1990.

His remarkable invention transformed the way we attach and secure goods in a variety of applications, making an indelible mark on the world. Because Velcro is so widely employed in modern society, George de Mestral’s innovative and practical solution has lasted the test of time.

1. De Mestral got his inspiration for Velcro from his dog

Huskies sled dogs in Kulusuk, Greenland. jpg , , via Wikimedia Commons

De Mestral invented the hook and loop after returning from a hunting expedition in the Alps with his dog in 1941. He got intrigued about how it operated after removing many burdock burrs (seeds) that were adhering to his clothes and his dog’s fur.

Under a microscope, he saw hundreds of “hooks” that clung to anything with a loop, such as clothes, animal fur, or hair. He recognized the prospect of reversibly attaching two materials simply if he could find out how to recreate the hooks and loops.

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2. George was married three times

DeMestralGrave.jpg , , via Wikimedia Commons

George married three times, first to Jeanne Schnyder in 1932. He had two boys with Jeanne Schnyder, Henri and François, then to Monique Panchaud de Bottens, a former fiancée of James Bond creator Ian Fleming (with whom he had one son, Charles), and finally to Helen Mary Dale. Château Saint-Saphorin-sur-Morges (Mestral Castle), the family residence in Saint Saphorin sur Morges, was left to de Mestral at the death of his father in 1966.

De Mestral passed away and was buried at Commugny, Switzerland. In his honour, the city dedicated an avenue L’avenue George de Mestral after him.

3. De Mestral faced initial challenges regarding his invention

De Mestral’s proposal, like that of other prior innovators, was rejected by society, even those in positions of power. People, as predicted, refused to take him and his plan seriously. He carried his concept to Lyon, which was a weaving centre at the time.

In Lyon, he was able to enlist the assistance of a weaver, who created two cotton strips that functioned. However, cotton rapidly wore out, so de Mestral switched to synthetic fibres. His nylon concept was bound to be revealed.

4. De Mestarl discovered that nylon could make the best Velcro

Nylon6 and Nylon 66.png , , via Wikimedia Commons

It should be noted that de Mestrl did not invent nylon. The person who invented nylon was DuPont. Beginning with the company’s first polymer research program in 1927 and finishing with its public introduction in 1938, shortly before the commencement of the 1939 New York World’s Fair, DuPont developed nylon for eleven years.

We may thus confidently assert that DeMestral did find nylon as the greatest synthetic after all. He ultimately learned via trial and error that when nylon is sewn under hot infrared light, it creates hooks that are ideal for the hook side of the fastener.

5. De Mestral almost gave up when it came to the creation of the loops

Velcro.jpg , , via Wikimedia Commons

Even though he had found out how to create the hooks, he was still trying to devise a machine that would make the looped side. Then he discovered that nylon thread, when weaved in loops and heat-treated, preserves its shape and is robust, but the loops needed to be cut in the exact appropriate place so they might be fastened and loosened several times.

A fresh thought suddenly into his head as he was about to give up. The tops of the loops were cut off using a pair of shears he had purchased, resulting in hooks that would fit precisely into the loops.

6. De Mestral took 10 years to perfect the Design of the Velcro

Eight years were spent automating the hook-weaving process, and a further year was spent developing the loom that cut the loops after weaving them. To develop a successful automated method, it took 10 years in total. In 1951, he applied for a patent on his invention in Switzerland, and it was approved in 1955.

De Mestral foresaw a rapid increase in demand. He secured patents within a short period, and he later established businesses in Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada. He expanded to Manchester, New Hampshire in the United States, a major textile hub, in 1957.

7. De Mestral did not have a name for his invention when he started its invention

Antiga Velcro, Argentona, El Maresme, Catalunya.jpg , , via Wikimedia Commons

De Mestral lacked a real name he could use to promote his goods. Therefore, at first, he just thought of his device as a hook-and-loop fastener. De Mestarl assigned the name Velcro to both his invention and the company he formed after receiving patents and opening stores abroad, including in Germany, the United States, and England.

The company continues to manufacture and market the fastening technique. French terms velours (“velvet”) and crochet (“hook”) are combined to get the word “velcro.”

8. His Velcro faced Challenges of Adoption in the textile industry

But it took some time for hook and loop to become widely used in the textile industry, in part because of how it looked. Early 1960s hook and loop had an unattractive appearance that suggested it had been manufactured from leftover scraps of inexpensive fabric, which turned off clothing manufacturers.

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9. Aerospace Industry adopted his Velcro at last

The Velcro® trademark hook and loop originally found widespread use in the aerospace industry, making it simpler for astronauts to don and take off their bulky space suits. Eventually, skiers saw the same advantages of a suit that was easier to put on and take off. Equipment for the sea and scuba diving soon after.

10. Mestral faced patent challenges for his Invention

De Mestral’s attempts to update his patent were unsuccessful, and it expired in 1978. Despite this, his invention continued to be widely used and commercialized by his company, Velcro, leaving a lasting legacy in the fastening industry.

The creation of hook and loop fasteners by George de Mestral revolutionized several sectors and continues to be a necessary component of daily living, from footwear and apparel to aerospace and medical uses. His perseverance, creative thinking, and commitment to creating a workable solution led to the creation of one of the most well-known and enduring fastening systems in history.

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