The last major invention of the alphabet has a few twists to it

Tag : zip fastener
Inventions are often referred to by their patented name. Forexample, an ink-dispensing device is commonly known as a pen. Anapparatus that reveals the direction of a traveler is commonlyknown as a map, and so on. We could go through a few more examples,but you get the point.
Whitcomb Judson's invention was known as a clasp locker. When heco-founded a company to manufacture these clasp lockers, he namedit the Universal Fastener Co. and introduced the device at the 1893World's Fair in Chicago.
What is a clasp locker?
It had a row of hook-and-eye fasteners that were fastened by aslide. They were originally designed to make it easier to tie one'sboots or shoes. Back in 1893, regular shoelaces weren't in use yet,and these clasp lockers became known as zippers.
But it wasn't until 16 years after Whitcomb Judson -- the father ofthe zipper -- died that they became known as zippers. In fact, itwasn't even Whitcomb Judson who invented the zipper that we usetoday.

Judson's version never quite made it off the ground. His clasplockers would either jam or come undone.
One of his employees, an engineer named Gideon Sundbach, improvedupon Whitcomb's version. Sundbach used interlocking metal teethinstead of hooks. They weren't perfect, though, as they would rustwhen washed.
The invention didn't really catch on until the Army started usingthem during World War I, and later B.F. Goodrich ordered a largequantity for the rubber boots that they manufactured in 1923. Ittook only a few more years before zippers were commonly used inclothing.
Who named it the "zipper?"
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Someone at B.F. Goodrich gave it the name. Depending on which storyyou want to believe, either an executive was zipping up a pair ofboots one day when he said, "Let's zip 'er up," or it wasnamed after the sound that it made when it was zipped. Either way,the zipper name was born.
If you look at any of your zippers, you will probably see theletters "YKK." These letters are the initials of theJapanese company that makes nearly all of the zippers in use today.
But wait -- there's more.
Whitcomb Judson died in 1909, so he wasn't able to see the clasplockers become known as zippers. While he never made much moneyfrom his zipper, he did patent an automobile product that producedmillions of dollars in royalties -- for his son.
And just as Gideon Sundbach improved upon Whitcomb Judson's versionof the zipper, Whitcomb Judson had earlier improved upon someoneelse's version of the zipper. His name?
Elias Howe, who was granted the first patent for an"automatic, continuous clothing closure" in 1851.
If his name sounds familiar to you, it's because it was Elias Howe-- and not Isaac Singer -- who invented another well-known item:the sewing machine! Howe patented it in 1847.
[By PAUL NIEMANN ]
Paul Niemann's column is syndicated to more than 70 newspapers. Heis the author of the "Invention Mysteries" series ofbooks. He can be reached at niemann7@aol.com .
Copyright Paul Niemann 2008
(Other columns )

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