History of the Zipper

This post is written in response to this article on the history of the zipper.

As any reader may know, I love history. However I never stopped to consider the history of the zipper. It's an invention I had always taken for granted, never imagining a world without zippers!
Well the zipper had a long run before becoming a common clothing notion. It was actually the man who invented the sewing machine who first invented the modern zipper, called the "Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure."

from http://www.andreaschewedesign.com/

Even though he received a patent, Howe never really pursued the creation of the zipper. The actual introduction of the zipper can be owed to Whitcomb Judson and, most importantly, Gideon Sundback. Judson has been credited as the "father of the zipper," however his actual design, called the "Clasp Locker" received little commercial success. Sundback was head designer at Judson's company, Universal Fastener Company, where he recreated and improved the design of the zipper. He also invented the machine to create zippers. It was his design that first started being used on boots and tobacco pouches, which then later spread to clothing.