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Updated On: Nov 22, 2023
Hook and Loop in the Wild
Burrs: the Inspiration for the Hook and Loop Fastener
In 1941, the Swiss engineer George de Mestral was removing burrs from his dog. These barbed seeds come from a variety of plants, and are evolutionarily specialized to attach to animals and humans as a way to spread to new areas. Commonly, however, they are seen as a source of irritation, as the barbs can be painful, and at their worst, they can cause severe damage to livestock and automobile tires. George de Mestral, however, saw something different: a potential use for the hooked barbs on the seeds he was holding.
In 1941, the Swiss engineer George de Mestral was removing burrs from his dog. These barbed seeds come from a variety of plants, and are evolutionarily specialized to attach to animals and humans as a way to spread to new areas. Commonly, however, they are seen as a source of irritation, as the barbs can be painful, and at their worst, they can cause severe damage to livestock and automobile tires. George de Mestral, however, saw something different: a potential use for the hooked barbs on the seeds he was holding.
Stephen Ira • September 22, 2015
