Whitcomb Judson

Early life and Career

Whitcomb L. Judson was born March 7, 1843, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American inventor and mechanical engineer. His creativity resulted in inventing the zipper, a widely used fastener today.
Judson’s early years were marked by service to his country. At the age of 17 he joined the 42nd Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. He was wounded at the Second Battle of Franklin, Tennessee in 1864. This experience may have inspired him later to innovate and improve the world around him.
Following the war, Judson went to Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and later became a traveling salesman. His inventive spirit soon guided him in a new direction.

Design of the zipper

Judson’s most important contribution came in the early 1890s when he turned his attention to substitutes for the time-consuming shoelaces used in boots. On August 29, 1893, he patented the “clasp locker,” a forerunner of the modern zipper.

Although the first design was rough and clumsy, it was an innovative idea. Judson and his colleague Lewis Walker were confident enough to sew the device into their boots and exhibit it at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

Achievements and recognition

Judson’s accomplishments extend beyond the zipper. In his 16-year career as a creator, he received 30 patents, reflecting his diverse interests and innovative ideas. Fourteen of these patents relate to road and pneumatic rail innovations, showing his interest in improving public transportation.
Although zippers didn’t immediately hit the market in Judson’s lifetime. His work laid the groundwork for a revolution in packaging technology. He co-founded The Universal Fastener Company to produce his invention. Over time, the company evolved into a producer of the modern zipper.

Judson’s legacy is perhaps best seen in the ubiquity of his discoveries. Today, zippers are used in countless applications, from clothing and accessories to spacesuits and nautical gear. His “clasp locker” has been refined and improved over the years, but the basic concept remains consistent with Judson’s original vision.

Judson is widely acknowledged for his significant contributions and is known as the father of the zipper in the engineering and manufacturing community. His story is often cited as an example of how seemingly simple ideas can have a profound and lasting impact on everyday life.

Last days and Legacy

Although Judson failed to live to see the total impact of his invention, his invention paved the way for future innovators. The term “zipper” was coined by B.F. Goodrich Company in 1923, came well after Judson’s death.

Whitcomb L. Judson passed away on December 7, 1909, in Muskegon, Michigan, at the age of 66. While he may not have achieved the fame of inventors like Edison or Bell in his lifetime, his legacy lives on in the limitless zippers used around the world every day.