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National Zipper Day
April 29th is National Zipper Day, commemorating the invention and evolution of the zipper, which began with Elias Howe's 1851 patent for a clothing closure. Key developments included Whitcomb Judson's clasp locker and Gideon Sundbäck's 1914 modern zipper, with the term 'zipper' coined by B.F. Goodrich in 1923. Today, YKK is a leading zipper manufacturer, producing millions of miles of zippers annually and offering a wide range of fastener products.
National Zipper Day
- 1. Every year onApril 29th, we celebrate something that most of us take for granted. This item is everywhere - in our clothes, purses, furniture, luggage, automobiles, and numerous other places. That’s right. It’s the zipper. April 29th is National Zipper Day! National Zipper Day
- 2. In 1851, EliasHowe, the inventor of the sewing machine, received a patent for an “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure.” However, he never made an attempt to market this item. Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine and the Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure, a precursor to the zipper Elias Howe’s sewing machine U.S. Patent #4,750 issued on September 10, 1846 Elias Howe’s sewing machine September 10, 1846
- 3. Forty-two years later,Whitcomb Judson, the founder of the Universal Fastener Company, invented the “Clasp Locker,” a hook-and-eye fastener used to lace up boots. He debuted it at the Chicago World’s fair in 1893, but it was met with little success. Whitcomb L. Judson, inventor of the clasp locker Judson’s clasp locker fastener received a patent in August of 1893.
- 4. In 1906, Swedish-Americanelectrical engineer, Gideon Sundbäck, began working at Universal Fastener Company. In 1914, he developed a version of the zipper based on interlocking teeth called the “Hookless No. 2,” which was the modern metal zipper. In 1917, a patent was issued for his “Separable Fastener.” Gideon Sundbäck, inventor of the Separable Fastener, a version of the modern day zipper Drawing of Gideon Sundbäck’s 1914 patent filing for the Separable Fastener
- 5. In 1923, BFGoodrich(former American tire and rubber boot manufacturer) coined the term “zipper” because of the sound that the device made when used in its boots.
- 6. Today, if youcheck out your zippers in your clothes, chances are many them will say YKK. YKK is a manufacturer of fastening products including zippers, hook & loop, plastic notions and snaps & buttons.
- 7. YKK was foundedin 1934 in Japan by Tadao Yoshida, who quickly turned his small zipper company into an international zipper manufacturer. Tadao Yoshida, founder of YKK
- 8. YKK is locatedin 71 countries. Its fastening company in the U.S. is YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. The YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. National Manufacturing Center is located in Macon, Georgia. YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. National Manufacturing Center in Macon, Georgia
- 9. YKK stands forYoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha, which translates to Yoshida Company Limited. In 1994, the company changed its name from Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha to YKK Corporation.
- 10. YKK’s worldwide zipperchain capacity is equal to more than 1.2 million miles, or enough to go around the earth more than 50 times (as of 2014). Of this amount, the National Manufacturing Center of YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. in Macon, Georgia produces around 68,350 miles of zipper chain and 26,750 miles of zippers annually.
- 11. The Brass WirePlant at the YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. National Manufacturing Center produces 22 million pounds of brass annually to make zippers and sliders around the world.
- 12. Today, YKK makesmore than 100,000 fastener products in 582 standard colors. Where have you seen our products? If you have some unique photos of zippers, please share them with us by connecting with us on Instagram at ykk_usa. You could be the winner of our photo contest.