The origin and development of zipper
December 02, 2019
In 1893 (one said in 1883), an American engineer (Kuwait) named Judson developed a "sliding device" and obtained a patent. This was the original prototype of a zipper. The appearance of this device has affected the button hooks used on high boots. However, this invention did not quickly catch on, mainly because the quality of this early locking device was not sufficient, and it was easy to loosen at inappropriate times and places, which made people embarrassed.
In 1902, a company that originally produced buttons and lace became interested in Judson's invention. They bought a patent, registered the trademark "Kupituo", and began producing zippers for shoes. But this "crab-eating" company soon embarked on the road of destruction. The "deduction" of its production could not be pulled or opened, and sometimes suddenly stretched out, making consumers embarrassed. The reputation of "deductible buckle" has become a slow-moving product, and the first company to produce zippers has closed due to a loss.
In 1912, the employee of the Judson company Sundback improved this "automatic button" and changed each tooth on the chain into a convex and concave shape, so that the teeth can completely correspond to the occlusion. It's not easy to get stuck, it's not easy to break apart, and it has a new name-zipper.
In 1913, the Swedish Sambak improved this rough locking device, making it a reliable commodity. His approach was to attach the metal lock teeth to a flexible shaft. The working principle of this zipper is that each tooth is a small hook that can be matched with the eyelet under a small tooth on the other belt opposite to each other. This zipper is strong and can only be opened when the slider slides to open the teeth.
Turnaround did not occur until the 1890s. A mechanical engineer from the city of Chicago, Whitcomb L. Judson, came up with a slider-device to fit and separate. Two rows of buttons (this principle is similar to zipper, but the term zipper does not appear until about 30 years later). Judison's invention was fortunate to have the financial support of a Pennsylvania attorney, Lewis Walker.
