Wearing pants today? How about a coat? Carrying a backpack? Chances are you used a zipper.

The zipper made its international debut at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. At the time, its inventor, Whitcomb Judson, called it the “clasp-locker.” Sadly, Judson died long before his invention picked up its zippy name and took the world’s apparel by storm.

But his legacy lives on. You can thank Judson every time you zip instead of button or tie.

Learn more:
Want to know more about the history of the zipper?
Curious how the zipper really works? Take a trip to HowStuffWorks.com to read an informative article or watch a short video.
Wonder why so many zippers say YKK? It’s the brand name of the world’s biggest zipper maker! Check out the YKK website.