A Swiss engineer invented Velcro after picking burrs off his dog

In 1941, George de Mestral examined burdock burs stuck to his dog's fur under a microscope and found tiny hooks that caught on anything loop-shaped. He spent over a decade developing a synthetic version — nylon hooks paired with nylon loops — and patented it in 1955. NASA's use of Velcro to secure gear in zero gravity later helped make it a household name.

— George de Mestral, Velcro — Patented 1955