Georges de mestral biography

6/19/1907–2/8/1990

SWISS

TEXTILE COMPONENT DEVELOPER

In 1948, George de Mestral, the inventor of VEL-CRO, was inspired in the development of his creation when he observed how the burrs produced by woodland plants adhered to the surface of his pants and his dog's coat.

De Mestral, George - Encyclopedia.com

When de Mestral examined the burrs under a microscope, he was fascinated by the hooks that extended from the burr, forming a secure connection with the attached material. It was this observation that led de Mestral to conceive of a two-sided fastener for clothing, with one side constructed of a series of tiny hooks, designed to catch the opposite softer fabric surface.

The name VELCRO was also de Mestral's invention.

He joined two words, velour, a plush woven fabric, and crochet, the type of knitting performed with a hooked needle.

de Mestral patented VELCRO in 1955, and the product became very popular in a wide variety of applications. Beyond its original appeal as a device to fasten ar Georges de Mestral SYKIL