The Story of VELCRO® Brand Fasteners
Changing the World
How ORIGINAL THINKING® sparked a fastening revolution
The story of VELCRO® Brand hook and loop began when one curious glance at a burr led to a question that wouldn’t let go. That moment of inspiration opened the door to an invention that reshaped how people connect objects in their everyday lives. What started in nature now supports millions of tasks across the globe, always marked by the familiar “rip” that tells users their connection is secure.
Today, hook and loop is everywhere. Born from ORIGINAL THINKING® and relentless curiosity, it continues to shape industries and redefine convenience for millions around the world.
Discovery
When was VELCRO® Brand hook and loop invented?
In 1941, the inventor of VELCRO® Brand fasteners, Swiss engineer George de Mestral, returned from a hunting trip in the Alps to discover burrs clinging to his wool pants and his dog’s fur. Curious about what made them stick, he examined them under a microscope and found tiny hooks gripping the fur. This moment of insight sparked a bold idea: could nature’s fastening system be reimagined through human ingenuity?
De Mestral named his company, Velcro Companies, an amalgam of the French words “Velour” (velvet) and “Crochet” (hook).
Development
Who developed VELCRO® Brand fasteners?
Inspired by the elegance of this natural mechanism, George de Mestral devoted years to transforming his vision into reality. He tested countless materials, searching for one that could mimic the burr’s hook structure with strength and reliability. In Lyon, France, he discovered nylon—a synthetic fiber with the ideal durability and “memory” for his design. This discovery was a turning point.
While the loop component was straightforward to produce, creating thousands of tiny hooks proved challenging and required further innovation. De Mestral developed a specialized device, inspired by the mechanics of barbershop clippers, to trim loops into hooks. This device brought his concept to life, laying the foundation for the first hook and loop fastener.
Once the concept was proven, de Mestral faced the challenge of bringing his invention to the world.
From Patents to Global Adoption
The birth of the VELCRO® Brand and its journey worldwide
In 1951, de Mestral filed his original patent in Switzerland, which was granted in 1954. Also, in ‘54, the VELCRO® trademark was born—its name inspired by the French words velour (velvet) and crochet (hook).
By 1955, the innovation had crossed oceans, securing a US patent and registrations across Europe and Canada. This marked the start of a global movement that would redefine fastening technology.
Expanding Possibilities Across Industries
How VELCRO® Brand fasteners transformed everyday life
As demand grew, Manchester, New Hampshire, became home to the first US manufacturing facility, chosen for its textile expertise. From this foundation, VELCRO® Brand fasteners began transforming everyday life and entire industries—starting with footwear and apparel in the late 1960s.
Soon after, NASA relied on our fasteners during the Apollo 11 mission to secure tools and equipment in zero gravity, proving their strength in the most challenging environment imaginable.
1985 marked a turning point as Velcro Companies began supplying MIL-SPEC hook and loop tapes to the US Military, setting new standards for durability. By 1988, VELCRO® Brand fasteners revolutionized automotive seating—molded hook products replaced wires and hog rings, reducing labor and injury risk while improving design and efficiency.
A new chapter unfolded in 1992 when VELCRO® Brand HTH plastic hook tabs appeared on Huggies® Supreme diapers. This breakthrough gave caregivers a simpler, more comfortable way to change diapers and improve life for families everywhere.
Did you know our fasteners have been to the Moon?
VELCRO® Brand fasteners helped make history in space. When NASA prepared for the Apollo missions, engineers needed a fastening solution that was lightweight, durable and adaptable for zero gravity, and they turned to Velcro Companies.
Our fasteners secured instruments, anchored boots and held essential tools in place across more than 3,300 square inches of the Apollo 11 modules. Today, many of these space-tested items are displayed in museums as a testament to the ORIGINAL THINKING® that helped humankind take its first steps on the Moon.
Industries We Serve Around the World
Where are VELCRO® Brand fasteners making a difference?
The VELCRO® Brand’s fastening systems, which include hook and loop and hook to hook technologies, are featured in a wide range of products around the world.
With our advanced manufacturing capabilities, we can tailor fasteners to address each customer’s unique needs. Today, Velcro Companies serves industries including:
Innovation With Responsibility
Our commitment to sustainability
Innovation isn’t just about performance—it’s about responsibility. From reducing waste to pioneering recycled materials, our commitment reflects the same curiosity and care that sparked the first hook and loop fastener.
Velcro Companies divert 54% of global waste from landfills, with some facilities achieving 100% landfill-free status. We’ve also installed solar panels in Spain and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,700 metric tons through LED lighting upgrades.
A Legacy of Innovation
What’s next for the VELCRO® Brand?
George de Mestral’s ORIGINAL THINKING® didn’t just create a product—it inspired a movement. His invention remains one of the most celebrated examples of biomimicry, proving that nature can guide human ingenuity.
That spirit drives Velcro Companies today. We collaborate with leading scientists, engineers and designers to refine existing fastening solutions and pioneer new technologies, from sustainable materials to advanced hook designs. The possibilities are endless, and we continue to explore, research and innovate to meet the needs of tomorrow.
Explore our timeline and discover how ORIGINAL THINKING® continues to shape the future.
