George de Mistral

George de Mestral was a Swiss engineer and inventor best known for creating the Velcro fastening system. Inspired by how burrs stuck to his dog's fur, he studied their tiny hooks and loops. Using this natural concept, he developed a two-part fastener with hooks on one side and loops on the other. Regularly patented in 1955, Velcro became a popular alternative to zippers and buttons due to its ease of use and strong hold. Mestral's invention has been widely adopted in clothing, aerospace, and medical devices, transforming fastener technology through biomimicry—learning from nature.