The Zipper

A zipper helps us open and close clothes, bags, and tents. It has two rows of small teeth. A slider moves up and down to join the teeth. When the teeth lock, the zipper holds tight. Zippers are fast and easy to use.

A New Idea

The first zipper was made in the late 1800s. An American man named Whitcomb Judson made an early version in 1893. Later, Gideon Sundback made a better zipper in 1913. His design is a lot like the ones we use today. It quickly became popular on clothes and boots.

Zippers Today

Zippers are on jeans, jackets, and backpacks. They are made of metal or plastic. Some zippers have two sliders so you can open them from the top or bottom. Tents and sleeping bags also use long zippers. Without zippers, getting dressed would take much longer.

Fun Facts

• The word zipper was first used by the B.F. Goodrich company in 1923.
• Early zippers were first used on boots and tobacco pouches.
• The YKK brand makes about half of all zippers in the world.

Did You Know?

Before zippers, people used lots of buttons and hooks to close their clothes. Getting dressed took much longer.