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In 1851, Elias Howe, (who invented the sewing machine in 1846) created a device called an "Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure".
However, Whitcomb L. Judson is credited with the invention of the zipper the "clasp locker" was patented in 1891. The device was so complicated it had taken 22 months for patent approval. This "clasp locker" was introduced it at the Chicago World's Fair.(1893)
Gideon Sundback, a Swedish born scientist improved on Judson's zipper in 1913. Sundback kept making improvements and in 1917, patented it as the "separable fastener".
In the 1930's zippers became popular in children's clothing to help them dress themselves.

The word "Zipper" was coined by the B.F. Goodrich in 1923 on their "ZipperBoots"!

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Detail of Kinghorn School class of c 1950.
circa 1950
King Township


Credits:
King Township Museum