From a walk in the woods to space suits and fashion shows, the story of the VELCRO® Brand is packed with innovation, creativity and fascinating highlights that we bet you didn’t know.
Here are 10 of our favorite facts about VELCRO® Brand hook and loop fasteners and the fastening system that changed how we connect the world.
Interesting Facts About the VELCRO® Brand
- Our Invention Came from a Walk in the Woods
- It Took Close to 10 Years to Develop the Technology
- NASA was Among the First to Use Our Fasteners…
- …which inspired many other industries to jump on board
- The Trademark VELCRO® Is Two French Words Combined
- VELCRO® Is a Trademark—Not a Noun or a Verb
- Did You Know Velcro Companies is the Name of a Global Organization?
- Velcro Companies Has Filed Over 2,100 Patents
- VELCRO® Brand Fasteners Are in the Smithsonian
- Hook and Loop Applications We Bet You Didn’t Know About
1. Our Invention Came from a Walk in the Woods
In 1941, Swiss engineer George de Mestral took a walk in the woods and noticed burrs clinging to his dog’s fur and wool hunting pants. The tenacious task of picking them off piqued his engineering curiosity. When he examined the burrs under a microscope, he saw tiny hooks that latched onto loops in the fabric and fur—nature’s own fastening system!
Being the inventor he was, De Mestral saw the unique fastening potential and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. And just like that, the idea behind hook and loop fasteners was born!
De Mestral first filed for a Swiss patent registration for his invention in 1951 and received it on March 16, 1954.
2. It Took Close to 10 Years to Develop the Technology
George de Mestral spent nearly a decade trying to replicate the clever mechanism he observed in burrs. His first challenge? Convincing others to take his idea seriously. So, he took it to Lyon, France—a hub for weaving at the time—where he could experiment more freely.
Next came the hurdle of finding the right material. Cotton worked but wore out too quickly. The invention of nylon offered the ideal solution. Its ability to bend, flex and return to shape made it the perfect fit for repeated use.
Creating the loops was relatively straightforward, but forming the tiny hooks was another story. Inspired by barbershop clippers, De Mestral began trimming heat-treated nylon loops until they latched just right. It took years of trial, error and persistence to develop machines that could do the job automatically.
3. NASA was Among the First to Use VELCRO® Brand Fasteners…
NASA was an early adopter of hook and loop technology, utilizing it during the Apollo 11 mission. VELCRO® Brand fasteners played an essential role, covering approximately 3,300 square inches of the interior and exterior of the Command and Lunar Modules.
Chosen for their corrosion resistance, durability and flexibility, NASA used VELCRO® Brand products in a variety of ways, including:
- Securing heat shields
- Keeping astronauts’ feet in their boots
- Managing feeding tubes and breathing apparatus
- Organizing tools and instruments inside the spacecraft
- Stabilizing camera equipment for lunar photography
They even helped astronauts scratch their noses! Yes, VELCRO® Brand strips were added inside helmets to provide astronauts with a way to relieve itching mid-mission.
4. …which inspired many other industries to jump on board
Following the VELCRO® Brand’s success with NASA, many others decided to test out this new technology. Its popularity exploded! It became a hit in areas like ski apparel, scuba gear and marine wear.
5. The Trademark VELCRO® Is Two French Words Combined
The trademark “VELCRO®” is a blend of the French words velour (velvet) and crochet (hook). Together, they describe the soft loops and gripping hooks that make up the two sides of the fastening system. It’s a clever linguistic mashup that reflects both the texture and function of the hook and loop product.
6. VELCRO® Is a Trademark—Not a Noun or a Verb
Here’s something that might surprise you: “VELCRO®” isn’t a noun or a verb but is a registered trademark of Velcro IP Holdings LLC. First issued in Switzerland in 1956 and in the United States in 1958, the VELCRO® trademark is now recognized in approximately 130 countries, making it one of the most well-known trademarks in the world.
When you’re speaking about our product, the correct term is “VELCRO® Brand hook and loop” or “VELCRO® Brand fastener.” Only Velcro Companies has the privilege of calling its products VELCRO® Brand hook and loop fasteners. For everyone else, ‘hook and loop’ is the way to go.
It’s a minor distinction, but one that helps preserve our brand’s identity and the legacy of innovation behind it.
7. Did You Know Velcro Companies is the Name of a Global Organization?
Velcro Companies has more than 20 locations around the world, all working together to deliver fast service, reliable supply and products that meet the highest quality standards.
And right at the heart of it all? Our global headquarters in Manchester, New Hampshire. We’ve been here since 1957—drawn by the area’s skilled textile workforce—and we’re still going strong.
8. Velcro Companies Has Filed Over 2,100 Patents
Since 1952, Velcro Companies has filed over 2,100 patents (that’s a lot of ideas)! From new hook shapes to sustainable materials, we continually innovate ways to make fastening smarter, stronger and more versatile. ORIGINAL THINKING® is well and truly in our DNA.
9. VELCRO® Brand Fasteners Are in the Smithsonian
The VELCRO® Brand products that flew to space now live at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum—proof that even fasteners can make history. It’s a fitting tribute to a fastening system that played a pivotal role in space history.
10. Hook and Loop Applications We Bet You Didn’t Know About
You’ve undoubtedly used VELCRO® Brand fasteners on things like shoes or maybe orthopedic braces. However, did you know our technology is also used for…
- Fixing solar panels to roofs
- Attaching acoustic thermal insulation to airplane walls
- Cord/tube organization in operating rooms
- Diaper tabs
- Resealable packaging
- Assembling car seat covers
- And so much more!
Pretty Fascinating, Right?
From burrs in the forest to breakthroughs in space, the journey of the VELCRO® Brand is anything but ordinary. Whether helping astronauts scratch their noses or fastening a diaper, Velcro Companies has turned a simple idea into a global fastening system that’s woven into everyday life. It all started with a walk in the woods, and we’re not done yet.
Interested in learning more?
Explore our timeline of innovation or check out our technology page to see what’s next. Make sure you also follow @velcrobrand on Instagram and Velcro Companies on LinkedIn for all the latest company news.
