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Inventiontime: Velcro

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Uses: Sticking together
Users:  billions
Who: George de Mestral
Why: wanted to stick things together

Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral invented his first touch fastener when, in 1941, he went for a walk in the woods and wondered why burdock seeds clung to his coat and dog. He discovered it could be turned into something useful. George patented it in 1955, and soon it became one of the most famous inventions of all time.
The fastener consisted of two components: a lineal fabric strip with tiny hooks that could “mate” with another fabric strip with smaller loops, attaching temporarily, until pulled apart. The first ever strip of Velcro was made out of cotton, which proved impractical after getting reports of them ripping apart. Now, the fastener is made of nylon and polyester.

Ask The Pro

Yo! I’m writing this letter to you in 1964, because some dude told me to.
Velcro straps together all of my fancy clothes, and my guitar! I also used velcro to create my quiff, because I wanted to look cool.
Anyhoo, see ya. I have to go and perform one of my songs now. Cheerio!
  -Elvis Presley, 16th March 1964
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