George de Mestral

Early Life and Background

George de Mestral was born on June 19, 1907, in Saint Saphorin sur Morges, near Lausanne, Switzerland. His parents were Albert de Mestral, an agronomist engineer, and Marthe de Goumoëns. Growing up in the picturesque Swiss nation-state, young George was interested in nature and technology from an early age.

Childhood and Education

De Mestral’s innovative spirit manifested early in his life. At the age of twelve, he designed and patented a toy plane. This early achievement fueled his passion for engineering and invention.

For his higher education, de Mestral attended the celebrated École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Here, he honed his competencies in electrical engineering and developed a deeper know-how of the ideas that might later guide his famous invention.

Early Career

After graduating from EPFL in 1930, de Mestral started working in the machine shop of an engineering company. This hands-on experience helped him with practical information about production processes and materials.

The Spark of Invention

The tale of Velcro’s invention is a classic story of inspiration drawn from nature. In 1941, de Mestral went on a searching ride within the Alps with his dog. Upon returning, he observed that his cloths and his dog’s fur were covered in burdock burrs. Curious about the strong attachment of burrs, de Mestral examined them under a microscope.

What he discovered was interesting; the burrs were covered in tiny hooks that stuck on anything with a loop, such as clothing fibers, fur, or hair. This sparked a concept in de Mestral’s thoughts – should he create a fastening system that mimicked this natural mechanism?

The Development of Velcro

Turning this idea into a possible product was not an easy task. De Mestral spent nearly a decade, from 1948 to 1958, perfecting his invention. He faced many challenges, particularly in growing artificial substances that would reflect the hook-and-loop machine he had observed in nature.

De Mestral’s patience led him to test with numerous substances and production techniques. He traveled to textile centers in France and worked with weavers to create prototypes. At first, he used cotton but found it wore out quickly. After much trial and errors, he observed that nylon sewn under infrared light were perfect for his fastener.

The next challenge was to mechanize the manufacturing process. It took eight years to develop a technique for weaving the hooks and another 12 months to create a loom that could trim the loops after weaving them. This attention to detail and unwavering determination were key to de Mestral’s eventual success.

Patents and Trademarks

In 1951, de Mestral applied for a patent in Switzerland. The patent was granted in 1955, marking an important milestone in his journey. He called his creation “Velcro,” combining the French words “velours” (velvet) and “crochet” (hook).

Anticipating increased demand, George de Mestral began setting up manufacturing facilities and a distribution system. He opened stores in Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada. In 1957, he expanded to the United States and established himself in Manchester, New Hampshire, which was then a major textile manufacturer.

Challenges and successes

Despite its innovations, Velcro was not an immediate success. Many in the textile industry were skeptical of this new fastening system and it took time for the product to be accepted. But de Mestral’s persistence paid off. NASA’s use of Velcro in space suits during the 1960s was a turning point. This high-profile application brought Velcro into the public eye and increased its credibility.

Personal Life

George de Mestral’s personal life was as eventful as his professional life. He was married three times. His first marriage was in 1932 to Jeanne Schnyder, with whom he had two sons, Henri and François. George de Mestral married Monique Panchaud de Bottens in 1949, who was previously engaged to James Bond author Ian Fleming. Charles was the only child born from this marriage. De Mestral’s third marriage was to Helen Mary Dale.

In 1966, upon his father’s demise, de Mestral inherited the family home in Saint Saphorin sur Morges, known as the château Saint-Saphorin-sur-Morges or Mestral Castle.
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Legacy and Later Years

As Velcro received reputation, de Mestral’s invention revolutionized fastening technology throughout various industries. Velcro made its way into countless products, becoming a household name in industries ranging from apparel and footwear to aerospace and medical packages.

De Mestral’s modern spirit and contribution to generation were widely recognized. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1999 for inventing hook and loop fasteners. He was also made “Bourgeois d’Honneur” of Commugny and obtained the French medal “Société d’Encouragement au Progres.”

Death and Remembrance

George de Mestral passed away on February eight, 1990, in Commugny, Switzerland, at the age of 82. He became buried in Commugny, in which the municipality posthumously named an avenue, L’street George de Mestral, in his honor.

De Mestral’s life story is a testament to the power of observation, patience, and innovation. From a walk in nature to a world-changing invention, his journey exemplifies the power of curiosity and determination. Velcro is still being utilized in numerous applications today, showcasing George de Mestral’s innovative legacy