How Does Velcro Work?
Quick Answer
Velcro works with two strips: one covered in tiny stiff hooks and one in soft loops; pressing them together makes the hooks catch in the loops.
The Full Story
Swiss engineer George de Mestral invented Velcro after a 1941 hunting trip, when he noticed burdock burrs clinging to his dog's fur and his clothes. Under a microscope he saw that the burrs had tiny hooks that snagged on loops of fabric. He spent years developing a nylon version and patented the hook-and-loop fastener in the 1950s. When pressed together, thousands of hooks catch loops; pulling them apart makes the tearing sound as hooks bend free. The name comes from the French words velours (velvet) and crochet (hook).
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"How a dog walk and some burrs led to Velcro."