Burrs on a dogSourced
Burrs caught in fur inspired a reusable fastener
After an outing with his dog, Swiss engineer George de Mestral examined the burdock burrs stuck to his clothing and the dog’s fur. Under a microscope, he saw tiny hooks catching on loops. That mechanism inspired a hook-and-loop fastener that could be attached and separated repeatedly.
An annoying attachment suggested a useful one.
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George de Mestral · Wikimedia contributors
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Reviewed: 2026-10-10