Who Invented the Zipper?

So if Howe isn't known was the zipper inventor, then who invented the zipper?

Whitcomb Judson and the "Clasp Locker"

The credit as the zipper inventor was given to Whitcomb Judson. He was the first to officially market it as the “Clasp Locker” 40 years after Howe patented his product.

Judson was especially interested in gadgets and would often perform experiments on them. On one occasion, he had a friend who was suffering from a stiff back and found it difficult to tie or untie his shoelaces. Judson came up with the idea to create a sliding fastening device that could be opened and closed with just one hand. He called his invention the clasp locker.

On August of 1893 Judson’s clasp locker was patented. His device was similar to the invention patented by Howe but his was marketed as a type of hook and eye fastener for the shoe.

Judson then collaborated with a business man named Lewis Walker and officially launched the first manufacturing company – the Universal Fastening Company - to produce the shoe fasteners. The clasp locker was launched to the public through the Chicago World Fair in 1893; but, unfortunately, the product did not receive much success.

Gideon Sundback and the "Separable Fastener"

Since Judson's clasp locker wasn't a popular item, there is more to the story of who invented the zipper. A different version of the product was made in 1913 when a Gideon Sundback altered Judson’s invention, making it more practical through the use of metal teeth instead of the original hook and eye type. Sundback patented his “separable fastener” in 1917.

B.F. Goodrich and the "Zipper"

The name for the product again changed when B.F. Goodrich Co applied the use of the device in rubber boots and galoshes, calling it the “zipper” since the boots can be fastened by just using one hand.

Around the 1940s research and studies were done regarding the zipper design. Initial models involved the creation of a zipper with interlocking brass coils. There was a tendency, however, for the device to become bent and deformed permanently, causing the zipper to get stuck. It was very impractical and it would have been bad for business. They revised their designs and soon discovered flexible but stronger synthetics. In the 1960s coil zippers began to enter the market.

Expanded Use of Zippers

Around this time, the zipper was exclusively used for tobacco pouches and boots. As a clothing accessory, the zipper had not yet been discovered. By the latter part of the 1930s, however, a campaign was launched that featured children’s clothing using zippers.

The advantages and benefits of the zipper were highlighted in that campaign, which promised that zippers could help children dress or undress themselves very easily with a zipper as opposed to the buttoned pieces of clothing they would normally wear.

In 1937, the zipper had a clear victory over the button when it was utilized by French fashion designers in the creation of men’s apparel. When the zipper was incorporated into different articles of clothing, B.F Goodrich Company filed a lawsuit to protect their patented product.

Largest Zipper Manufacturer

The Yoshida Kogyo Kabushililaisha was founded in 1934 and became one of the major zipper manufacturers. Sixty years later, they modified their company name to YKK Co. Headquartered in Japan. As of 2010, this privately owned firm currently consists of 80 companies with 106 facilities spread over 52 countries.

Today, the YKK group remains the most reputable zipper manufacturer. In 1960, they established the first manufacturing plant in the U.S and since then has been known to be the largest manufacturer and supplier of zippers.

Thanks to the zipper inventors and developers starting with Elias Howe, we can enjoy today the many uses of zippers in boots, bags, purses, luggage, clothing, seat covers, cushion covers, and many more items. Zippers have made our lives a little bit simpler.