Fastening devices such as: STRAIGHT PINS, BROACHES, BUCKLES, BUTTONS, SNAP FASTENERS and SAFETY PINSHowever all of these had downfalls which created a need for a simple and efficient way to fasten; therefore the zipper was born
Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine, patent in 1851, too busy with sewing machine to worry about zipper
Whitcomb Judson, 20 years later, changed the design and called it the clasp locker, but waited until he designed the Shoe fastening Both were patented on the same day
Universal Fastener Company, New JerseyHooks and eyes broke easily, too expensive to makeMachine to speed up process and eficiency
1902,can be attached to shoes and clothesMarketed towards women and was meant to be more reliableIt was not
1905, started to modify Judson’s design, making it more secureMarketed towards dress makers and men’s trousersAlso didn’t work, wasn’t flexible enough
1912, Sundback removed the hook and eye systemUsed a slide to force one side of the fastener to the metal clamps on the other sideWas also unsuccessful and could only be used a few times
Introduced the interlocking system used in the modern zipperSmall interlocking scoops
US Military saw interest in itUsed for clothing and equipment in WWICame with instruction manual
Became more popular in the industrial marketSlowly became incorporated into clothingB.F. Goodrich Company coined the device the zipper after the noise it made
By the late 1930’s zippers in fashion became the next best thing
Women’s wear, Elsa Schiaparelli used zippers in her iconic dresses of the 1930sNew fad with sleek, trim linesSmaller zippers furthered this trend
The wild one, with Marlon BrandoJacket has a bunch of zippersYouth rebellion; What are you rebelling against, What do ya’ got
Symbolized the liberation of sex in cultureMechanical nature of zipper represents masculine intrusion into the private and mysterious world of women’s clothing
Lead to sexual appeal in artAndy Warhol’s Rolling Stones’ album cover1969 Time magazine dedicated to sexual revolution
Since wide spread use of the zipper became popular in the late 1930’s, the economy has flourished around it’s marketIt has risen and fallen with wars, changing fashion styles, and of course the Great Depression
Through the years of the Great Depression, the zipper still managed to become a worldwide commodityUS, Japan, and Germany became the 3 major competitors in the zipper marketMaking tobacco pouches, boots, and informal clothing
During WWII however, all zippers manufactured were designated for military useEven in Japan and Germany, because they were fighting a war tooDuring a time when America was urged to ration and give their part to win the war
Post WWII, the zipper reappeared and once again became apart of everyday lifeZipper manufacturers also began to market back to the public again and in time, the business regained it’s strength
Through it’s ups and downs has seen it all… Literally.It was the new kid on the block in the beginning, but slowly worked it’s way into society and managed to become a crucial part of everyone’s day
