Velcro

Velcro :

We all love Velcro – it’s a great alternative to buttons and zipper, but do you know how it works?

Velcro works by having two strips of material that can hold themselves together.  One strip has loads of tiny hooks – the other has loads of thin loops that the hooks can cling to when the two strips are pressed together.

Velcro was invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral, and it’s said that his inspiration came from the way that the seeds of burdock, known as burrs, stick to animal furs and your clothing.

The more hooks and loops that a strip of Velcro has, the stronger the hold that it has.  Really heavy-duty Velcro is strong enough to support a human (but don’t try this at home!)