what is velcro

Velcro is a brand name for hook-and-loop fasteners, which consist of two components: a lineal fabric strip with tiny hooks and another fabric strip with smaller loops, attaching temporarily until pulled apart. The fastener was invented by Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral in the 1950s, and he named it Velcro, a portmanteau of the French words velours (velvet) and crochet (hook) . Velcro is a privately held company that produces fasteners that adopt this technology. Velcro is used across the world by major clothing manufacturers and is known for its effortless holding together when the two separate sides touch. One side features a scratchy hard surface, while the other side is soft and fuzzy. Velcro is used in various industries, including aerospace, fashion, and healthcare. The company offers different types of hook-and-loop fasteners, such as woven mushroom tapes and knitted loop fabrics, each with different performance characteristics for peel, shear, and tension.