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Gideon Sundback

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description Gideon Sundback Overview

Gideon Sundback was a Swedish-born electrical engineer whose work in the United States improved the early slide fastener into the form underlying the modern zipper. He developed a design with closely spaced interlocking metal elements and machinery capable of manufacturing the fastener efficiently, receiving a United States patent in 1917. His improvements made the mechanism more reliable for clothing, luggage, and other manufactured goods.

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What did Gideon Sundback invent?

Gideon Sundback is credited with perfecting the modern interlocking zipper design around 1913. As a Swedish-American electrical engineer, he developed the "Hookless Fastener No. 2" which became the standard for reliable clothing closures.

How is Gideon Sundback related to the modern zipper?

He solved the problem of zippers popping open by increasing the number of fastening elements per inch to ten. His innovative design was first used heavily by the U.S. Army during World War I for uniforms and gear.

What company did Gideon Sundback work for when he invented the modern zipper?

He worked for the Hookless Fastener Company in Meadville, Pennsylvania, which later became known as Talon Zipper. Talon became one of the most prominent zipper manufacturers in the world throughout the 20th century.

When did Gideon Sundback patent his zipper design?

He filed his pivotal patent for the "Separable Fastener" in 1917. This specific patent detailed the interlocking mechanism with two facing rows of teeth that is still used in clothing today.