Hook and Loop 101: Insights from The Pioneers
Everything you need to know about the iconic hook and loop fastener from the original creators at Velcro Companies.
What Is a Hook and Loop Fastener?
Hook and loop is an innovative fastening system that can adhere, attach and secure a wide range of applications. The fastener has two sides that link to form a strong bond. One side features tiny hooks, while the other has nylon loops.
This revolutionary technology has spread across various industries thanks to its versatility, adaptability and ease of use. You may know it from sneakers, diaper tabs and blood pressure bands, among many other applications.
Velcro Companies are proud to be the innovators behind the original hook and loop fastener. Although our products consist of hook and loop, not all hook and loop products are from the VELCRO® Brand.
How does hook and loop work?
Hook and loop fasteners work by interlocking tiny hooks on one side with loops on the other side. Inspired by the shape of burdock burrs, the hooks catch onto the loops to form a secure connection. You disengage the fasteners by pulling apart the hooks from the loops.
Initially made from nylon, the product has advanced with technology, allowing us to adapt the fastener according to the application.
Here’s a microscopic look at both sides of a VELCRO® Brand fastener.
Woven hook
Woven loop
Types of Hook and Loop
We have many different types of closures, and through ORIGINAL THINKING®, these designs continue to evolve. Construction can vary in size, shape, profile and strength, and adapt to different uses.
Variations of VELCRO® Brand Fasteners
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Textile Hook & Loop Fasteners
Read MoreThe Original VELCRO® Brand fastener with infinite solutions. Recognized worldwide and synonymous with high quality and superior performance.
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High Technology Hook Fasteners
Read MoreEngineered for precision grip, versatile bonding and custom performance across every surface, from diapers to car seats.
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Hook To Hook “LOK” Fasteners
Read MoreOne-component self-engaging, reclosable fasteners. Perfect for flexible packaging, installing building materials, supporting infrastructure and more.
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Self-Engaging & Back-to-Back Products
Read MoreReusable, adjustable one-piece fasteners—ideal for bundling cables and organizing wires. Tailored for everything from high-cycle use to disposable applications.
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Converting Options
Read MoreA global portfolio of standard and custom hook and loop solutions—powered by 60+ years of innovation, design expertise and manufacturing excellence.
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Finished Products
Read MoreFrom off-the-shelf products to custom fasteners. Designed to solve challenges and streamline supply chains with global manufacturing expertise.
The History of Velcro Companies
Our story began in 1941 when Swiss engineer George de Mestral noticed burrs sticking to his dog’s fur on a walk in the woods. Curious about how they worked, he created a fastening system that copied this natural hook design. He named his invention “Velcro,” a mix of the French words “velours” (velvet) and “crochet” (hook).
De Mestral’s genius idea quickly took off and was adopted by many industries, including aerospace. In fact, NASA utilized it during the Apollo missions.
NASA and VELCRO® Brand Solutions
VELCRO® Brand fasteners played a key role in the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969—the day humans first walked on the moon. NASA used around 3,300 square inches of our hook and loop fasteners in the command and lunar modules to meet the demands of space travel.
These fasteners helped secure instruments to spacesuits, anchor boots, organize tools, and store breathing equipment, proving essential in the harsh conditions of space.
Want to see how our fasteners helped make history?
Industrial Uses of VELCRO® Brand Fasteners
Velcro Companies is all about inspiring creativity and innovation. For decades, we’ve partnered with businesses to craft custom solutions.
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Personal Care
Read MoreVELCRO® Brand Personal Care Solutions offers superior softness for babies, diapers, feminine care and adult incontinence products.
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Transportation
Read MoreWe help manufacturers simplify assembly, improve ergonomics and lower production costs. Discover our product on airplane seats, acoustic thermal insulation and more.
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Industrial
Read MoreVELCRO® Brand fasteners serve various industries and applications, including furniture, signage and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO).
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Footwear & Apparel
Read MoreOur fasteners have become synonymous with children’s footwear. We also collaborate with those creating outdoor gear products for the harshest conditions.
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Military & Government
Read MoreTrusted by the US military and government for over 50 years, you can find VELCRO® Brand fasteners on backpacks, knee pads, patches and more.
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Construction
Read MoreOur solutions help improve productivity and safety while minimizing chemical use. One example is creating fasteners for permanent fixtures like solar panels.
VELCRO® Brand Fasteners in Everyday Life
VELCRO® Brand products offer solutions not only to businesses but to consumers, too.
Ready for VELCRO® Brand innovations to transform your business?
FAQs
No, NASA did not invent VELCRO® Brand fasteners. The VELCRO® Brand was first developed in the 1940s by Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral. However, NASA extensively utilized our fasteners to tackle space travel’s unique challenges, like extreme temperatures and zero gravity. They used about 3,300 square inches of VELCRO® Brand tape to secure instruments, organize tools and support astronauts.
In 1941, Swiss engineer George de Mestral became intrigued by the burdock burrs that adhered to his dog’s fur during a hike. After noticing the fastening capabilities of the burr’s tiny “hooks,” he dedicated himself to finding a way to apply this innovative mechanism to textiles. This effort eventually led to the creation of what we now call hook and loop.
The VELCRO® Brand is the innovator of the original hook and loop fastener. We have a variety of products that utilize hook and loop technology. That said, they are not the same. Other companies may use our technology, but this does not make them VELCRO® Brand fasteners.
George De Mestral created the iconic VELCRO® trademark by blending the French words “Velours” (meaning velvet) and “Crochet” (meaning hook).
The generic name for what most people call a VELCRO® Brand fastener is hook and loop. This is because the fastener has two sides: one made entirely of tiny hooks and the other of little loops, which the hooks grip onto.
It all depends on the specific fastener—some are waterproof or water-resistant, and others aren’t. We have finished products that are water-resistant, such as those in our Kitchen and Bath line. B2B clients can also work with our engineers to tailor products so they are UV and water-resistant. Contact us for recommendations on the most suitable fastener for your specific application.
The fuzzy side of our fasteners is the loop side, and the rough side is the hook.
Hook and loop is the generic term for a VELCRO® Brand fastener. VELCRO® Brand fasteners contain hook and loop technology, but not all hook and loop fasteners are made by the VELCRO® Brand.
VELCRO® Brand fasteners are typically made from nylon or polyester. The hook side consists of stiff nylon or polyester hooks, while the loop side is made from softer, flexible nylon loops. These materials are durable, lightweight and resistant to wear.
Over the years, several advancements have been made to our fasteners:
– Heat-Resistant Fasteners: Developed to maintain holding power even in high temperatures, making them suitable for automotive and aerospace applications.
– Low-Profile Fasteners: Thinner and more flexible, ideal for sleek designs in consumer electronics and fashion.
– ECO Collection: Made from recycled materials, supporting sustainability initiatives.
– Smart Fastening Systems: Integrating with wearable tech and medical devices, offering features like infrared camouflage for defense applications.
Innovation is at our core. Our engineers continuously seek new ways for VELCRO® Brand technology to provide easy solutions—for businesses and consumers.