The Invention That Came From a Dog's Fur

Описание: In 1941, a scientist named George de Mestral returned from a hike in the Alps with his dog. Both were covered in stubborn burrs from mountain thistle. While most people would simply be annoyed, George was curious. He put a burr under a microscope and changed the world.
​The Science: Biomimicry and Hook-and-Loop Physics
​What George discovered was a masterpiece of natural engineering called Biomimicry. Under the lens, he saw that the burrs weren't just sticky; they were covered in hundreds of tiny, flexible hooks.
​These hooks were designed to catch on the loops of animal fur or fabric. This is a perfect example of Mechanical Interlocking. When the hooks are pressed into a surface of loops, they deform and then "snap" into place. To separate them, you must apply enough Tensile Force to temporarily straighten the hooks so they can slide out.
​[Image showing the interlocking mechanism of a hook and a loop]
​George spent ten years trying to replicate this in a laboratory. He faced constant failure—weaving tiny hooks into fabric seemed impossible with 1940s technology. Eventually, he discovered that Nylon, when sewn under infrared light, formed stiff, permanent hooks. He called his invention Velcro (a portmanteau of velours and crochet).
​The Result
​George’s persistence turned a hiking nuisance into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Velcro became essential for everything from heart surgery to NASA space suits. His story is a powerful reminder that frustration is often just a discovery waiting for a microscope. If you look closer at your obstacles, you might just find your greatest breakthrough.