Burrs inspired Velcro, a sticky invention
Inspired by burrs clinging to his dog, George de Mestral invented Velcro, a biomimicry marvel that transformed fastening and is now used worldwide.
Swiss engineer George de Mestral invented Velcro after a walk with his dog in the 1940s. He noticed burrs clung to his clothes and his dog's fur. Under a microscope, he saw tiny hooks on the burrs that latched onto loops. This natural design inspired his revolutionary hook-and-loop fastener, patented in 1955.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz