The zipper is one of those inventions that’s so common today, we rarely stop to think about its origin. But this little device, which has helped us fasten everything from pants to purses, has a surprisingly long and complicated history.
The first attempt at a zipper-like fastener came in 1851, but it was clunky and impractical. The modern zipper didn’t appear until 1913, when engineer Gideon Sundback refined the concept with a design called the “Hookless Fastener.” It used interlocking metal teeth and a slider to join fabric quickly and reliably—no buttons or laces required.
At first, zippers were used primarily for boots and tobacco pouches. But in the 1930s, fashion designers embraced them for clothing, and their popularity exploded. Today, zippers come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, quietly keeping our lives zipped up and in order.