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Discovering the Inventor of the Zipper

In today’s world, it is hard to imagine life without zippers. They are on our clothes, our shoes, and even our bags. Nevertheless, who invented this ubiquitous device?

The answer is Whitcomb Judson, a mechanical engineer from Ware, Massachusetts. Judson was inspired to create a better way to close boots and shoes after he struggled to fasten his own pair one day. In 1893, he patented his invention, which he called the “C-Clasp.” Judson’s C-Clasp was a two-row slide fastener that consisted of two rows of metal hooks and eyes that were held together by a slider.

The invention was further improved by Gideon Sundback which made huge improvements over traditional clasps, which were difficult to fasten and unfasten, and prone to breaking. It was used on boots and shoes, but it quickly became popular for other items as well, such as wallets, handbags, and clothing. By the early 1900s, zippers were an essential part of fashion.

Zippers have had a profound impact on society. They have made it easier and faster to get dressed and undressed, and they have made it possible to design new types of clothing that would not be possible with traditional fasteners. Zippers are also used in a variety of other industries, such as the automotive industry, the aerospace industry, and the medical industry. In addition to their practical benefits, zippers have also had a cultural impact. They are often seen as a symbol of modernity and progress. For example, the zipper was featured prominently in the costumes of the 1960s and 1970s, a time of great social and technological change.

Today, zippers are an essential part of our everyday lives. Read on to find out more fascinating facts about the inventor(s) of the zipper.

1. Whitcomb was not the original inventor of the zipper

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Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine, also invented the first prototype zipper in 1851. However, he never pursued this invention, so it was not mass-produced until later. It is believed that Howe did not market it because of the success of his sewing machine. This is why he missed out on being known as the inventor of the zipper.

Fast forward to 40 years later and Whitcomb Judson enters the scene. In 1893, Whitcomb L. Judson, renowned for his invention of a pneumatic street railway, obtained a patent for his creation known as a “Shoe-Fastening. This innovative device served as a more intricate form of a hook-and-eye shoe fastener.

Collaborating with businessperson Colonel Lewis Walker, Judson established the Universal Fastener Company to commence production of this novel contraption. The “clasp locker,” as designed by Judson, made its debut at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair but unfortunately did not gain substantial commercial success. While some have attributed Judson as the zipper’s inventor, it’s crucial to note that his invention was not employed in clothing, distinguishing it from the modern zipper we know today.

2. Whitcomb Judson’s invention was designed to make shoes more convenient and comfortable to wear

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Judson’s invention was designed to save people the hassle of buttoning and unbuttoning their shoes every day. In his patent U.S.P. 557,207, he explains that his device has all the advantages of a lace shoe, but without the annoyance of having to lace and unlace the shoes every time they are put on or taken off. He also notes that his device allows the laces to be adjusted from time to time to take up the slack and that the shoes can be fastened or loosened more quickly than any other type of shoe.

3. Gideon Sundback is also credited with the invention of the modern-day zipper

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The inventor of the modern zipper, as we commonly know it today, is Gideon Sundback. Whitcomb L. Judson, on the other hand, is often associated with an early precursor to the modern zipper called the “clasp locker,” which had limitations and was not widely used in clothing. Sundback’s improvements to this concept led to the development of the modern, more efficient zipper design.

Born in Sweden in 1880, Sundback’s early life was marked by curiosity and a passion for innovation. He immigrated to the United States, where he would eventually leave an indelible mark on the world of fasteners. Sundback’s education and experience as an engineer laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work. His dedication to improving everyday conveniences led him to create an invention that would change the way we fasten our clothing.

In 1913, Gideon Sundback patented what would become the modern zipper. His design was a remarkable improvement on previous attempts at fasteners. Unlike earlier, more complicated mechanisms, Sundback’s zipper was simpler, more reliable, and easy to manufacture. The zipper, which Sundback initially called the “Separable Fastener,” was a game-changer. It used interlocking metal teeth and a sliding mechanism, providing a quick and secure way to fasten clothing and other items. This invention paved the way for the convenient zippers we use today.

4. Whitcomb Judson’s invention was the early precursor to the modern zipper

Whitcomb L. Judson was an American inventor and engineer known for his work on various inventions, including the “clasp locker,” which is considered an early precursor to the modern zipper. He obtained a patent for his “Shoe-Fastening” device in 1893, and this device served as a more complicated hook-and-eye shoe fastener. With the support of businessperson Colonel Lewis Walker, Judson founded the Universal Fastener Company to manufacture this innovative contraption.

Judson’s “clasp locker” made its public debut at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, but it encountered limited commercial success. While he is sometimes credited as an early contributor to the development of fastening mechanisms, it is important to note that his invention was not widely used in clothing and had significant limitations.

Although Whitcomb L. Judson’s “clasp locker” was not the direct prototype of the modern zipper, his work laid the groundwork for subsequent inventors like Gideon Sundback, who further refined and improved the concept.

5. Sundback’s initial patent application was rejected

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Judson’s first patent for a slide fastener was filed in November 1891. At the time, the United States Patent Office did not require a working model of a patent, only that the invention be a novel idea. However, his patent was almost rejected because there were already several types of shoe fasteners patented. He applied for a second patent on an improved version of the same device nine months later, before the first patent was even approved.

The patent was finally approved in May 1893, after Judson filed a last amendment with an improved version. When the two patents were finally issued on August 29 (along with 378 others that day), they received the numbers U.S.P. 504,038 (first) and U.S.P. 504,037 (second). These patents describe several designs of the “clasp-locker.” Later design patents of the fastener describe opposite elements on each side that are identical to each other and fit together by the engaging of “pintles” and “sockets.” In his patent U.S.P. 557,207 of 1896, Judson describes a device that is very similar to the zipper of today.

6. Sundback retained non-U.S. rights to the patent of the zipper

 In 1906, the Fastener Manufacturing and Machine Company hired Sundback as their head designer. Then in 1909, Sundback registered a patent in Germany for the zipper. The US rights to the invention were owned by the Meadville company (operating as the Hookless Fastener Co.), but Sundback retained the non-US rights. He used these rights to set up Lightning Fastener Co. in Canada. This has led to the common misperception that Sundback was Canadian and that the zipper originated in Canada.

7. Gideon Sundback’s improvement of the zipper revolutionized how we use it today

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Gideon Sundback’s innovative design marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the zipper. His invention, patented in 1913, incorporated interlocking metal teeth and a sliding mechanism, offering a significant improvement in fastening technology. However, the zipper’s journey didn’t stop there. The B.F. Goodrich Company played a crucial role in propelling zippers into the mainstream.

Their adoption of zippers in rubber boots during the 1920s helped establish zippers as a practical and reliable fastening solution. Over the years, zippers found their way into various industries beyond fashion. They became integral to the aviation industry, enhancing safety and aerodynamics, and made their mark in numerous other applications, from sportswear to camping gear. This ongoing evolution of the zipper demonstrates its adaptability and enduring impact on our daily lives.

8. The word Zipper was first used in 1923

In 1923, B.F. Goodrich coined the name “zipper” for the device they used on their new boots. Zippers were initially used on boots and tobacco pouches, but it wasn’t until twenty years later that they became popular in the fashion industry. Around World War II, zippers became widely accepted for fly closures on trousers and plackets on skirts and dresses. Gideon Sundback also invented the machine used to manufacture the new zipper. Lightning Fastener Company, one of the early manufacturers of zippers, was based in St. Catharines, Ontario. Although Sundback frequently visited the Canadian factory as president of the company, he resided in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and remained an American citizen.

9. Sundback was honoured for his invention

Sundback was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in 1951. In 2006, he was honoured with induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his work on the development of the zipper. On April 24, 2012, the 132nd anniversary of Sundback’s birth, Google changed its homepage logo to a Google Doodle of the zipper, which, when opened, revealed the results of a search for Gideon Sundback.

10. The zipper is now more than just a fashion statement

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The legacy of the zipper extends far beyond mere convenience. It has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives. In the world of fashion, zippers have liberated designers, enabling the creation of form-fitting garments and revolutionizing the way we dress. However, their influence does not stop at the runway. In aviation, zippers have helped secure aircraft components, improving safety and aerodynamics, and, in a nod to their versatility, zippers have suited up athletes in sportswear that enhances performance and comfort.

The zipper’s influence on modern design is evident in its integration into countless products, from camping gear that keeps adventurers snug in their sleeping bags to the sleek lines of contemporary handbags. Beyond the utilitarian, zippers have a charming presence in popular culture. Did you know that the iconic rock ‘n’ roll singer, Elvis Presley, once sported a custom-made leather jacket with a lightning bolt-shaped zipper pull? Or that zippers played a starring role in a memorable scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s film “North by Northwest“? These anecdotes reflect the zipper’s cultural significance, highlighting its ability to add a touch of glamour, functionality, and intrigue to our world.

The zipper is a simple yet ingenious invention that has had a profound impact on society. It is a testament to the ingenuity of its inventors, Elias Howe, Whitcomb Judson and Gideon Sundback, and it continues to be an essential part of our everyday lives.