HERE’S “VELCRO” (Jan, 1959)
HERE’S “VELCRO”
VELCRO may put the zipper out of business. This new fastening material is made of two nylon strips. One contains oodles of microscopic hooks; the other oodles of microscopic loops. Pressed together they form an amazingly strong union, yet peel open easily.
I often wish that Velcro HAD put zippers out of business! You’d think after 100 years of zippers, we’d have mastered that whole “teeth get damaged and then you have a jacket permanently stuck on you” business.
Comment by Johnny Q — March 22, 2010 @ 7:05 am
We need more reporting using the word “oodles”.
Comment by Sean — March 23, 2010 @ 5:11 am
Velcro came out that early? I didn’t know that.
Comment by GaryM — March 24, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
GaryM: You still don’t. It was actually invented in 1941 and patented in 1955
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Ho.....id=5653568
I hope you aren’t one of those misguided souls who thinks that Velcro and Teflon were developed for the Space Age.
Comment by Firebrand38 — March 24, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
I’d heard/read somewhere that Velcro was attempted to be sold to the US Army as closures for uniforms, to replace buttons, snaps, and zippers. The story went that the sound of Velcro ripping apart was deemed too noisy in a combat situation — it’d give away a soldier’s position.
Comment by Michael, N5RLR — September 18, 2010 @ 5:40 pm
Michael, N5RLR: No that’s incorrect. The ACU uniform adopted in 2004 uses Velcro (or hook and loop fasteners) closures on the pockets. It’s not the noise but troops complain how the fasteners clog up with dust in Afghanistan
As far as giving away the position it’s not like guys are hidden in foxholes on a city street in any case.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/m.....lcro_N.htm
Comment by Firebrand38 — September 18, 2010 @ 5:53 pm