Textile Closures - Velcro, Rivet, Button, Back Closure, Zipper, Buckle, Whitcomb L. Judson, Shoelaces, Hook-And-Eye Closure, Belt Buckle, Ribbon (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 37. Chapters: Velcro, Rivet, Button, Back closure, Zipper, Buckle, Whitcomb L. Judson, Shoelaces, Hook-and-eye closure, Belt buckle, Ribbon, Shank, Safety pin, Grommet, Placket, Buttonhole, Drawstring, L. Nichols Buttons, Snap fastener, Fly, Cord lock, Collar pin, Frog, Talon Zipper, Strap, Buttonhook, Shirt stud, Kilt pin. Excerpt: Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral. He patented it in 1955 and refined and developed its practical manufacture until its commercial introduction in the late 1950s. The word Velcro is a portmanteau of the two French words velours and crochet, or "hook." Hook-and-loop fasteners consist of two components: typically, two lineal fabric strips (alternately round "dots" or squares) which are attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.) to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first component features tiny hooks; the second features even smaller and "hairier" loops. When the two faces are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and the two pieces fasten or bind temporarily. When separated, by pulling or peeling the two surfaces apart, the velcro strips make a distinctive "ripping" sound. The first Velcro sample was made of cotton, which proved impractical and was replaced by Nylon and polyester. Velcro fasteners made of Teflon loops, polyester hooks, and glass backing are used in aerospace applications, e.g. on space shuttles. Variations on the standard Velcro hook and loop fasteners include hooks on both faces, buttons, zippers, laces, and buckles. George de Mestral's patent expired in 1978, but the term Velcro is a registered trademark in most countries. Generic terminology for these fasteners includes "hook and loop," "burr" and "touch" fasteners. However the Velcro brand is an exa...