Zippers
As a result of my previous post, I came across some more interesting information about zippers.
Some of the history about zippers goes all the way back to 1851 when a device similar to the zipper called an automatic continuous clothing closure was patented by Elias Howe, but it was not of practical use and did not reach the market. In 1891, the aforementioned Whitcomb L. Judson patented a similar device called a clasp locker for fastening shoes and boots, and he marketed the invention through his Universal Fastener company. These two designs used hooks and eyes. The true zipper, and the design used today, is based on interlocking teeth.
When I further researched Whitcomb L. Judson, I found out he obtained several other patents and also made several automobile improvements during his life. One of these inventions is what we now know as the cupholder. It also says that a high school in Texas was named in his honor. I assume this refers to Judson High School in Converse, TX and whose mascot is the Rockets, which leads us full circle.
Not until the 1920s and 30s did the zipper become popular for children's clothing and men's trousers. In 1934, Tadao Yoshida founded a company called San-S Shokai in downtown Tokyo.
This company later changed its name to Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki-gaisha and then eventually to YKK. They have now become the world's largerst manufacturer of zippers and fastening products. If you are wearing an article of clothing or have some other product with a zipper, take a look at it. It probably has YKK on it. I wondered what those letters were before and thought maybe it somehow had to do with the year 2000, Y2K. Guess not. Hope you enjoyed this interesting look at the useless information regarding the zipper.
Some of the history about zippers goes all the way back to 1851 when a device similar to the zipper called an automatic continuous clothing closure was patented by Elias Howe, but it was not of practical use and did not reach the market. In 1891, the aforementioned Whitcomb L. Judson patented a similar device called a clasp locker for fastening shoes and boots, and he marketed the invention through his Universal Fastener company. These two designs used hooks and eyes. The true zipper, and the design used today, is based on interlocking teeth.When I further researched Whitcomb L. Judson, I found out he obtained several other patents and also made several automobile improvements during his life. One of these inventions is what we now know as the cupholder. It also says that a high school in Texas was named in his honor. I assume this refers to Judson High School in Converse, TX and whose mascot is the Rockets, which leads us full circle.
Not until the 1920s and 30s did the zipper become popular for children's clothing and men's trousers. In 1934, Tadao Yoshida founded a company called San-S Shokai in downtown Tokyo.
This company later changed its name to Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki-gaisha and then eventually to YKK. They have now become the world's largerst manufacturer of zippers and fastening products. If you are wearing an article of clothing or have some other product with a zipper, take a look at it. It probably has YKK on it. I wondered what those letters were before and thought maybe it somehow had to do with the year 2000, Y2K. Guess not. Hope you enjoyed this interesting look at the useless information regarding the zipper.
posted by whaaaat! at
11:38 AM
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