Have you ever wondered Who Invented the Zipper In 1893. Zipper, that little device that keeps your clothes, bags, and even tents securely fastened? Yes, we’re talking about the zipper! It’s such a common part of our everyday lives that we hardly give it a second thought. But the story behind the zipper is filled with ingenuity, failure, and a bit of rivalry. So, who really invented the zipper? Let’s unravel the story.
Whitcomb L. Judson Zipper
The journey begins in the late 19th century with Whitcomb L. Judson, an inventor from Chicago. In 1893, Judson introduced a curious device that is called the “Clasp Locker” at the Chicago World’s Fair. His invention was designed to make fastening shoes easier and quicker, eliminating the need for countless buttons.
Clasp Locker
Judson’s clasp locker worked using a series of hooks and eyes that could be fastened by pulling a slider. It was a brilliant idea! But there was one small problem—it didn’t work very well. The device often jammed or pulled apart, and people found it unreliable. As a result, Judson’s clasp locker failed to catch on, and for a while, it seemed like the zipper was doomed to remain an unrealized dream.
The Man Who Perfected the Zipper
Judson may have invented the zipper concept, but Gideon Sundback, a Swedish-American electrical engineer, truly made it work. Sundback was hired by the Universal Fastener Company, the same company Judson founded to produce his clasp locker. After Judson’s design failed to gain traction, Sundback took on the challenge of improving it.
Gideon Sundback Zipper
Sundback didn’t just tweak the original design—he revolutionized it. By 1913, he had developed a much more practical solution: rows of interlocking metal teeth that could be pulled together smoothly with a slider. This was the birth of the modern zipper. In 1917, Sundback received a patent for the “Separable Fastener.”
Who is Gideon Sundback
Gideon Sundback, born in Sweden in 1880, pursued electrical engineering studies in Germany before moving to the United States in 1905. His first job was at Westinghouse Electric Company, but after about a year, he received an intriguing offer from Whitcomb Judson. Sundback joined Judson’s company, where he set out to improve Judson’s initial clasp locker design. His efforts paid off when he invented what we now recognize as the modern zipper. This revolutionary invention later became known as the “Talon Slide Fastener.
Where Did The Name “Zipper” Come From
Now, Sundback may have perfected the design, but he didn’t come up with the name. That honor goes to the B.F. Goodrich Company. In 1923, they started using Sundback’s fastener on a new type of rubber boot and coined the term “zipper” because of the “zip” sound it made when fastened. And just like that, the name stuck.
Battle of the Fly
At first, zippers were primarily used for boots and tobacco pouches. It took another 20 years before the fashion industry embraced the zipper for clothing. The turning point came in 1937, during the so-called “Battle of the Fly,” when French designers began using zippers on men’s pants. From that moment on, the zipper became a staple in fashion, gradually replacing buttons on garments across the globe.
Who Invented The Modern Zipper
Fast forward to today, and zippers are everywhere—from jackets and jeans to bags and boots. It’s hard to imagine a world without them. While Whitcomb Judson may have been the visionary who first conceived the zipper, it was Gideon Sundback’s improvements that turned it into the reliable fastening solution we use every day. So we can say that Gideon Sundback invented the modern zipper.
Quick Facts
Inventor: Gideon Sundback
Key Contributions: First to patent the modern zipper prototype
Born: 1880
Died: June 21, 1954
Nationality: Swedish
Invention: Zipper (1913)
So next time you zip up your jacket or pack your bag, take a moment to appreciate the fascinating history behind that tiny, everyday invention—the zipper!
