Velcro marks 50th anniversary along parade route with really long r-r-r-rip

by amyjudd | May 14, 2008 at 01:54 pm | 991 views | 21 comments

Velcro is used everywhere in our lives. We don't even think about how useful it is I bet. I think velcro is one of the best inventions ever - it's about time it got some recognition!

The signature sound of Velcro hook-and-loop tape being torn apart rippled along a parade route Tuesday to mark half a century since the Velcro brand was trademarked in the United States. Former and current employees of Manchester-based Velcro USA lined up for more than a kilometre and a half to rip apart 20-centimetre lengths of the company's famous fasteners.

Lorraine Thiem, who retired after 27 years as a weaving instructor, excitedly ripped and reattached her swatch in anticipation as she waited for the wave to reach her under a tent in the company's parking lot. She left the company 13 years ago but still feels a pang of pride whenever she spots a Velcro product.

"I think, 'I had a hand in making that,"' she said. "It's just wonderful."

The hook-and-loop tape has its roots in Mother Nature - Swiss engineer George de Mestral came up with the design in the 1940s after studying burrs that stuck to his dog's fur and his wool pants during a walk in the woods. He named his invention Velcro, a combination of "velour" and "crotchet," the French words for velvet and hook.

Production began in France, but by 1958, administrative and manufacturing operations had moved to Manchester, where textile mills had a long history. Since then, the product has been used in applications ranging from the humble to the high-tech, on everything from sneakers and diapers to astronaut equipment and military body armour.
Though Velcro products are so pervasive that the company's name is virtually synonymous with hook-and-loop tape, Velcro's patent expired in 1978, allowing competitors such as 3M to move into the market. But Velcro remains the industry leader, said company president Joan Cullinane.

"Any place you look, our product is used," she said. "In a day, you probably touch it 10 times in 10 different applications. That's a pretty significant market we're driving."

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jordan

at 17:22 on May 14th, 2008

When I was a wee lad, crossing the Velcro straps into an X patter was the way to go... I didn't have a pair, though. I had regular laces (shoes 1.0).

Pansy Maiden

at 21:23 on May 14th, 2008

I love velcro! I use it for many of my Pansy Maiden Bags (www.pansymaiden.com). Thank goodness for velcro

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Stingrays

at 21:49 on May 14th, 2008

Thank the mighty Burdock bush for the power of velcro it has made my life a lot easier.

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Stitchin Sista

at 22:40 on May 14th, 2008

This card holder is a miniture and fabric virsion of a plastic document holder.
I switched a snap button to velcro for secure closure and easy adjustment, as the case gets fuller.

Stitchin Sista has contributed a photo to this story.

Birdybags

at 23:16 on May 14th, 2008

I love Velcro, I just it a lot, it is very usuful especially to make my bags. A really inteligent zipper.

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budddeee309

at 23:19 on May 14th, 2008

The happiest place on earth's 50th bday!! An unforgettable and amazing landmark in Disney history! I can't wait for the 100th!!

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Adam Alpern

at 00:22 on May 15th, 2008

Velcro keeps the flaps of this hand made custom Zugster messenger bag securely closed.

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jefftron3000

at 01:05 on May 15th, 2008

Velcro. What a rip-off!.......sorry, I couldn't resist.

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arielmatzuk

at 01:54 on May 15th, 2008

Serendipity Celebration
Guilford College

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ann_of_loxley

at 04:31 on May 15th, 2008

I got a pushchair for my son on freecycle and I used velcro to fix the raincover of my old buggy to the new one!

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Scott In TO

at 05:40 on May 15th, 2008

Thanks, Velcro! For years you've held up my shin pads like a faithful friend so I could focus on playing hockey ;)

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mrrgibbons

at 06:03 on May 15th, 2008

Who'd have thought velcro could look so good!

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Booksie

at 10:17 on May 15th, 2008

Not only am I covered in Velcro, I'm throwing myself at an inflatable structure covered in it. Kids and adults were loving this - and as you peel yourself off, you make the r-r-r-rip sound with your entire body.

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Eduardo Gama

at 10:38 on May 15th, 2008

Velcro use at a parachute

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spluloacle

at 10:40 on May 15th, 2008

I always use Velcro when I make my duct tape stuff. It keeps it closed and lasts a long time. Velcro is totally awesome.

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jwbanks

at 14:33 on May 15th, 2008

good stuff:

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

sortandfold

at 01:40 on May 17th, 2008

I use lots of Velcro in my bag-making adventures. There isn't anything else in the world like Velcro.

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unpeudetout1

at 14:08 on May 19th, 2008

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unpeudetout1

at 14:10 on May 19th, 2008

I just really love velcro!! I used it here in order to cover a mistake that I made when doing the handles on this lunch bag (I ripped the handle). So to reinforce it I made a "wrap-around" out of fabric and velcro and it is used to hold the handles together. Thanks for the invite!!!

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LenciLove

at 23:43 on May 19th, 2008

We are a couple that for love to the stupidity we start creating creatures, giving them life with nerds and tender expressions .

We bear in mind the usefulness of our creatures, creating casings to measure in order that the people could take the cellphone or MP3 of a surer and cooler way.

Lencilove.
Santiago, Chile

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