Which inventor created Velcro after studying burrs that stuck to clothing and animal fur?

George de Mestral created Velcro after studying burrs that stuck to clothing and animal fur.

In 1941, Swiss engineer George de Mestral examined the burrs of burdock plants under a microscope. He noticed that the burrs used tiny hooks to catch loops in fabric and hair. He developed a fastening system with two complementary surfaces: one covered in small hooks and the other in loops.

De Mestral patented the idea in Switzerland in 1951, and additional patents followed in other countries. The name Velcro combines the French words velours, meaning velvet, and crochet, meaning hook. Early versions made from cotton were less practical, so nylon and other synthetic materials became important in commercial production.

Velcro is a brand name associated with hook-and-loop fasteners, not a generic invention name. The system is used in clothing, medical supports, luggage, aerospace equipment, and many household products.