Velcro hook-and-loop fastener

The Velcro hook-and-loop fastener consists of a hook tape and a loop tape that mechanically interlock when pressed together. Invented in 1948 by Swiss engineer George de Mestral, it has become a global standard replacement for zippers, buttons and buckles. In workwear it is used for waist adjustment, cuffs, name patches and ID pockets. Advantages include size tolerance and one-handed operation with gloves. Drawbacks are lint, hair and dust getting caught in the hooks, decreasing peel force over time, and unsuitability for cleanroom environments. Industrial grades reach shear strengths of several N/cm2 and more than 10 000 open-close cycles.