The zipper is a very common fastener used to secure all kinds of things, but the zipper

was not always around. The zipper intended to be used as an easier tool instead of buttons.

Before the zipper was invented in 1913 buttons were used in designing clothes. The zipper is

named for the sound it makes’ when used. When the zipper first came out it was not widely

accepted. Even though the zipper was invented in 1913 by Gideon Sundback it was made in a

creative way, but its history is fascinating.

Gideon Sundback was born on April 24, 1880 in Smaland, Sweden. After Gideon studies

were over he moved back to Germany. In 1903 Gideon took his engineer exam. In 1905 he

immigrated to the United States. Also in 1905 he started to work at Westing House Electric and

Manufacturing Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1906 Gideon got accepted to work for

the Universal Fastener Company of Hoboken, New Jersey. About 3 years later Gideon Sundback

got promoted to Head Designer. Also 1909 Gideon married Elvira Aronson on June 5 th. Gideon

made several improvements in the development of the zipper. In 1914 Gideon developed a

version based on interlocking teeth. Gideon also invented the manufacturing machine for the

new zipper. Late on Sundback was awarded the Gold Medal of Royal Swedish Academy of

Engineering Sciences in 1951. Gideon Sundback died of a heart condition in 1954.

The zipper is very simple in its structure. The two main parts are the hook and wedge.

A hook is any curved item meant to grab and hold any other item. A wedge is an item with a

slanted surface, designed to push something aside. Each zipper has two rows of metal or plastic

teeth that lock together when you zip it up. The edges of the zipper are connected together as a

Y-shape when the slider is pulled up. A little wedge on top of each tooth locks down forces the

teeth open. Tiny pieces of metal or plastic called stops are clamed at the top and bottom of the

zipper so it will not slide of the teeth. Zipper factories make zippers in long strips, and then cut

the long zippers apart to produce individual ones.

The zipper impacted society quite a bit. People can now look cool and stay warm. It also

saves time when people are in a hurry and do not have time to