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There are many uses of Velcro: Since its arrival
in 1957, Velcro has developed into a popular and long-lasting product.
Manufacturers originally used it on jackets, shoes, bags, and other pieces
of clothing. However, Velcro exploded into the mainstream market
as companies and manufacturers attempted to meet the needs of young children
as well.32 Over the years,
Velcro fasteners have provided society with both a practical and an effective
tool. For example, NASA astronauts have used Velcro in space to stick
scientific equipment, trays, food packages, and sometimes themselves to
some solid surface to prevent them from flying away in the weightless environment.33
In addition, throughout the past several decades, modern hospitals have
depended on Velcro for many things. This sturdy fastener helps to
keep active infants in beds, cinch blood pressure cuffs, belt patients
in wheelchairs, attach disposable covers to examination tables, and even
close patient gowns. Most recently, doctors and surgeons have used
it to attach the chambers in artificial hearts.34
In addition to clothing, space equipment, and hospital use, Velcro has proven to be effective in automobiles as well. In all types of automotives, Velcro is used to bond headliners, floor mats, and speaker covers. Most recently it is being used to attach exterior parts such as tail light and headlight covers, and to hold down other movable parts.36 Furthermore, Velcro's fantastic sheer strength has prompted scientists to make aircraft bodies. The aim would be to replace rivets with Velcro strips, saving weight and making assembly simpler.37 George de Mestral designed Velcro to be peelable with resistance to sideways forces. Some Velcro is so strong that a piece less than five inches square can support a load of one ton!38 Velcro is often used for recreation, and in this picture it proves its resistance to sideways forces - including human bodies! (picture courtesy of http://www.campcayuga.com)
The original patent
on Velcro expired in 1978, twelve years before George de Mestral's death.39
Since then, Velcro has been quoted as being one of the greatest scientific
inventions of the 20th century in Readers Digest, National Geographic,
and numerous news publications and periodicals. There have been many
imitations, but Velcro still remains a registered trade name.
Audio
clip taken from the movie
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