You probably don’t think much about the significance of the zipper. Often taken for granted, this masterfully engineered fastener is essential to most people’s daily lives. While you could live without it, modern life is made much more convenient by this seemingly simple device that is found on most jackets, backpacks, and pants. Learn about the history of this fastener and how it became so popular.
You may have never considered that zippers have a history. Zippers were invented more than 170 years ago, and now they’re the most popular fastener used today. The mechanism went through several rounds of engineering before it became the device that we all know.
The first zipper was invented by the same person who invented the sewing machine. Too busy promoting their more popular invention, Elias Howe’s zipper wasn’t much of a success. Whitcomb Judson improved upon Howe’s design in time for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. He called it a “clasp locker,” and again the invention was not successful.
It was not until the early 1900s when Gideon Sunback was working for the Universal Fastener Company that he invented the modern zipper. Sunback was a head designer at the plant in Hoboken, NJ, where he received a patent for his design in 1917. Further, Sunback also invented a machine to create the zipper. The first one could produce at least a few hundred feet of zipper chain per day.
The first zippers were advertised as shoe fasteners. The G.B. Goodrich company used them for their rubber boots and started calling the fasteners zippers. The common use of the term “zipper” is attributed to G.B. Goodrich. Additional original uses for zippers were for military equipment and uniforms during World War I.
How did zippers become part of mainstream fashion? Once designers learned how simple they were to sew into clothing, as well as how versatile they could be, zippers were found in advertisements across the globe. French fashion designers praised them for revolutionizing both men’s and children’s clothing. As the trend picked up in the United States, zippers became a preferred fastener to buttons or ties. Let’s next take a look at why the zipper is important in fashion.
When it comes to men’s fashion, zippers are less about aesthetic and more about function. Once designers realized how easy zippers made getting in and out of trousers, they knew men would love them. Zippers are easily concealed in men’s clothing but are also easily accessible so you can open your pants to use the restroom. Early advertisements for men’s pants with zippers were enticing because they played on the idea that those who wore them would have an easier time in the bathroom.
Zippers on women’s clothing are usually about ease. The zippers are typically hidden and may be found on jeans, a blouse, or a dress. Many modern women’s clothing and accessories also feature fashion zippers. Exposed zippers are common on handbags, boots, belts, and hats. Some zippers on women’s clothing don’t serve any function other than appearance. This shows how far our fashion industry has come with this unique fastener.
The zipper gained popularity due to the way it was advertised for children’s clothing. Ads explaining that pants with zippers gave children more independence had mothers buying them in bulk. Children who have more independence do better in school. Kids like being able to take care of themselves, too. Nothing is more significant than a piece of metal or plastic that can give your child more confidence.
In addition to daily fashion, zippers are essential to many other facets of life. They are the most common fastener used to keep bags and cases of all sorts closed. One of the most common uses for zippers is on jackets and coats. You wouldn’t buy a jacket that didn’t have a zipper, and you might stop using your jacket if the zipper broke.
Outdoor gear is another mainstream use for zippers. If you have a tent, boat, or other camping or marine equipment, it likely has a zipper to keep it secure. Zippers for outdoor gear are typically heavy- duty. For instance, marine zippers are water-resistant. Further, manufacturers use coil zippers for tents to ensure flexibility. You always want to buy top-quality gear to ensure it comes with a good zipper.
Prior to zippers, people used buttons and ties to fasten items like shoes and jackets. Since the invention of the zipper, it has inspired other fasteners, but none offer as strong of a hold. For instance, mechanisms for resealable bags and Velcro were designed based on zippers. While strong forms of Velcro exist, they aren’t as practical as zippers. Velcro wears down over time and is challenging to maintain.
Taking care of a zipper is easy if you know how to clean and properly maintain it. First, you should understand the most important parts of a zipper—the chain, teeth, slide, and pull tab. Your zipper shouldn’t be missing any teeth, and the slide shouldn’t wobble on the chain. The most common reason a zipper gets stuck is that something is caught in the teeth. You should remove threads, grime, and other gunk before trying to loosen the slide. Pull gently on the tab so you don’t break it.
To protect your zipper and ensure the slide glides over the chain properly, use a lubricant. You’ll know your zipper needs lubricant if the slide catches on the chain as you try to use it. The best things to use to grease your zipper are:
Sometimes, a zipper repair is necessary. You can sew in a brand-new zipper if you have the skills and time. Most people don’t have a sewing machine. If you suffer a zipper malfunction while on the go, you need a quick fix. A no-sew universal zipper repair kit is the perfect item to keep with you in case the zipper on your luggage, tent, or jacket suddenly stops working.
The zipper doesn’t stop evolving. We’ll always need to fasten our clothes, bags, and shelters. It’s not difficult to understand the significance of the zipper when you start looking for it in the world around you. You may use a zipper every day. If zippers are important to your lifestyle, get ahold of a FixNZip to help repair your items in an instant.
Making and mending clothing requires knowing the difference between right and left-sided insertion pins. A busted zipper could mean anything from missing zipper teeth to a cracked slider. Getting the right zipper repair parts isn’t always easy, which is why you should keep a universal replacement zipper handy. When repairing items like jackets, it helps to understand the parts of a zipper so you can mend yours properly. Keep reading to learn more.
Zippers are intricate pieces of engineering that consist of several parts; it took decades for the zipper to become what it is today. Insertion pins are found on either the left or right side of separating zippers to prevent the slider from falling off the garment. The difference between the two mainly comes down to preference. Other elements of a zipper include:
Typically, insertion pins are used for clothes that open at one or both ends. The insertion pin prevents the slide from continuing and falling off the chain once the tape is separated. You will typically find insertion pins on clothing such as:
If you are making clothing, it is important to know the difference between right and left-sided insertion pins. American customers prefer zippers with pins attached to the left, while European and Asian markets are familiar with clothing that zips the other way. Most customers will use items with either zipper style, but you can make your product more user-friendly by considering your market.
The easiest way to fix a broken zipper is with the FixNZip. If the slide on your favorite clothing falls off, you can attach your FixNZip repair zipper to the side of your jacket or hoodie that has the insertion pin to continue using it for years to come. You won’t have to throw away another prized possession due to a busted zipper ever again. Shop our online store today.
If you’re having bad luck with your zippers, you may need to take better care of them. Not all zippers are made the same, and some require more care than others, especially if they must withstand harsher elements. For instance, the zipper on your tent is likely to get dirtier in one night than the zipper on your purse. Knowing how to properly clean and maintain a zipper will allow you to keep your favorite—and most expensive—items around for a lifetime.
When your zipper breaks, it can ruin the entire point of an item you were trying to use. It’s important to maintain zippers to prolong the life of your favorite or most expensive items and equipment, such as tents, luggage, or marine gear. The more expensive your equipment is, the more likely it has a heavy-duty zipper that you don’t want to ruin. Zippers can degrade without proper care, which often results in high-end materials being thrown away.
To properly clean a zipper, you should know how they work. A zipper is comprised of two pieces of tape that are lined with rows of metal, nylon coil, or molded plastic teeth. This piece is known as the chain. Zippers also have a slide that allows the teeth to interlock and a tab to pull the slide. There’s an insertion pin that allows the slide to join the teeth. A zipper-stop is the piece that keeps the slide from falling off the chain, and you’ll find this at the end of the zipper. Depending on your item, your zipper may have one zipper-stop at the top or two at the top and bottom (one example of this would be the zipper on a tent.)
Your zipper can stop working for a myriad of reasons. The first thing most people want to know when their zipper stops working is how to fix it. Figuring out the reason why your zipper isn’t working can help you solve the problem.
The most common reason why zippers stop working is that the slide gets stuck. Your zipper slide can get stuck in the tape or attached fabric of whatever item it’s attached to, preventing the slide from moving across the chain. Try pulling the tab back until the fabric comes free. If the fabric becomes so stuck that threads are mixed up in the teeth, you may have to unwind each thread individually from the teeth and slide to get your zipper working again. Use scissors for the toughest knots.
Another reason your zipper may get stuck is that it’s not properly lubricated. The zippers of tents and other outdoor equipment easily get caked with dirt and dust and therefore should be cleaned and lubricated after each use to ensure long-term function. Furthermore, the zippers for marine gear, such as wetsuits, get sand stuck in them easily and should also be cleaned regularly.
Another common reason why zippers break is that the chain or teeth become corroded. Inspect your zipper to see if any teeth are missing or bent out of shape. You can use pliers to bend teeth back into the right position. Damaged zipper teeth may cause your zipper to separate even after you’ve used the slider to close it. Rust or oxidization can cause corrosion, especially to metal zipper materials.
If the slider comes off the track, your zipper is broken. Whether from too much tugging or general wear and tear, you can lose the slider or pull tab on your zipper. This is more common with metal zippers and small cheap zippers.
No one enjoys pulling out their tent or favorite backpack to discover that the zipper no longer works. You can avoid this catastrophe by maintaining the zippers on the items that become dirty most often. Use a lubricating product to help clear debris from your zippers and allow the slide to operate. To clean a zipper, unzip your item, spread the lubricant over both strips, and wipe off any excess. Finish opening and closing the zipper to thoroughly distribute the lubricant.
It’s important to lubricate your most important zippers so that they last a lifetime. While you can use store-bought zipper lubricants, household alternatives can have an equal effect. In addition to manufactured lubricants, common items used to lubricate zippers include:
You should clean zippers that are used outdoors after each use. In addition to lubricating, use soap and water to wash away dirt, dust, and sand. You can use a toothbrush or other brush with soft bristles to scrub between the teeth. Ensure you rinse thoroughly to get rid of soap residue and allow your items to dry before putting them away.
While using and maintaining your zippers, remember to be gentle with them. Even the sturdiest zippers can break if you use too much force. Most camping equipment is made with plastic zippers that can bust easily if you’re too hard on them.
When you purchase expensive equipment, you want it to last a lifetime. Outdoor equipment with zippers is more susceptible to grime and dust than your average jacket or bag zipper. You don’t want to rebuy high-end items such as tents, marine gear, or car accessories just because the zipper broke. It’s important to remember zipper maintenance when cleaning these items to avoid having to replace them.
Even with proper maintenance, accidents can happen, and things still break. Knowing how to properly clean and maintain a zipper is only helpful if you use the tips and tricks provided. Life often gets in the way of routine maintenance, and it’s easy to forget to clean your zippers. If you lose your zipper slider or simply can’t find a way to get your zipper unstuck, use a FixNZip zipper replacement kit to solve any broken zipper problems you come across. The FixNZip operates with a simple thumbscrew mechanism and fits on any size of zipper chain. Purchase one online today!
Most people don’t think twice before using a zipper. They’re common on pants, boots, coats, and many other pieces of clothing—not to mention camping gear. Prior to the zipper, buttons were the only option for securing clothing, and we all know how difficult buttons can be to use. Today, designers mainly use buttons for fashionable reasons, as they don’t provide as much security as zippers.
How did our society come to start using zippers, though? Discover the fascinating history of the zipper, and find out who is to thank for your cozy jackets and durable jeans. Modern zippers have only been around for about the last 100 years, which means you might have a parent or grandparent who remembers growing up without them. They may even still have some of their old clothes around! Learn about the invention of the first zippers and how they became popular.
Elias Howe invented the first known zipper, though Howe is not famous for this invention; most people know him for designing the sewing machine. He received a patent for what he called an “automatic, contentious clothing closure” in 1851, but he didn’t promote it. Many believe that Howe spent more time marketing his sewing machine and didn’t have time to promote his other invention.
In time for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Witcomb Judson improved upon Howe’s invention, creating a hook and eye shoe fastener that was more complicated than modern zippers. Though most people know Judson as the zipper’s inventor, he did not use the term and instead called his design a “clasp locker.” He also took the time to market the product, so most people believe he invented the concept. Although it premiered at the exposition, the zipper’s world debut was met with little success.
About 60 years after the invention of the “clothing closure,” Gideon Sunback invented the modern zipper in Hoboken, NJ, in 1913. He was married to the manager’s daughter at the Universal Fastener Company plant, where he became the head designer. After his wife’s death, he buried himself in his work and invented a product that he called a “separable fastener,” for which he received a patent in 1917.
Sundback was a jack-of-all-trades. He also invented the first manufacturing machine to produce zippers. Known as the “S-L” or a scrapless machine, it took a Y-shaped wire and cut scoops from it to form the shape of the zipper teeth to produce a continuous chain. By the first year of use, the machine could produce a few hundred feet of fastener per day.
When zippers were first invented, people did not have a great deal of uses for them. Before they became mainstream in the fashion industry, manufacturers mainly used zippers for boots and tobacco pouches. Then, designers began to use zippers for the first time to help engineer the uniforms and equipment for the United States Military. The first people to really utilize zippers were World War I soldiers.
The zipper was around for 20 years before the fashion industry started to notice and promote it. Once it did, the zipper became popular with designers, who started using it on jackets, pants, and more. The zipper’s best influencers were the French fashion industry, which proclaimed them to be an advancement in the design of men’s trousers. They were also very useful in children’s clothing; zippers are easier for kids to use and, therefore, give them more independence.
Through magazines and the fashion industry, zippers have become a staple in our society. We use them on everything from purses to shoes to jackets to pants, and the most inconvenient thing about them is when they break. Zippers are essential for items that open at both ends—such as jackets and sleeping bags. They are also the most popular fastener for backpacks, luggage, and camping gear.
The zipper has come a long way since its invention. The first zipper was made of metal and wire, while modern zippers are often plastic or metal. Zippers come in a range of colors. Though they originally only came with a metallic look, you can hide zippers by matching the color of surrounding fabrics. Further inventions—such as Velcro and resealable bags—resemble the interlocking teeth of zippers and display the evolution of this technology.
In the past, most people threw away items that had broken zippers. Skilled sewers might have taken the time to use a zipper replacement kit and repair their favorite jackets or purses, but many people are not confident enough in their skills to replace a zipper. Further, you won’t have time to fix a zipper on a tent or sleeping bag if you find out that it needs repair when you get to your campsite with only three hours left until sunset.
The solution is the FixNZip zipper replacement kit, which you can keep around for pesky zippers and carry with you just in case. To use the FixNZip, you turn the thumbscrew to open the slider and then place it on one side of the zipper. If you need to repair an item that caps at the end, bring the FixNZip down to the bottom before tightening; otherwise, you can begin anywhere. Next, slide the other side of the zipper teeth through the zipper slider like you normally would, and adjust the thumbscrew as necessary.
CTF Enterprises invented the FixNZip as an eco-friendly product and solution. The company is in Portland, OR—a far cry from the original zipper’s origins—and is actively committed to developing products that make people’s lives easier and more sustainable. Staff members are active in their community and volunteer with non-profits to help make the world a better place. The FixNZip is part of the fascinating history of the zipper, as it’s the last replacement zipper you’ll ever need.
Let me begin by saying that I hate to shop for pants. It seems like a miracle when I can actually find a pair that fit right AND are on sale. So you can imagine my frustration when the zipper on my semi-new golf shorts broke (kind of like that time I had a broken golf bag zipper).
I was hanging out with the relatives after a nice family dinner, and I realized my shorts zipper had jammed. Sure it was big meal, but I didn’t eat THAT much. Anyway, the zipper was zipped up about half, but the teeth had separated. It was one of those small zippers with the brass teeth. I tried several times to pull the zipper slider (the thing that connects the teeth) back down to the beginning to get it started again, but even after applying pressure with pliers (a tip I picked up from youtube) I couldn’t get the teeth to connect.
The teeth were fine, but the zipper slider needed to be replaced. Normally to do that, you have to un-stitch the old zipper and sew a new one in. Although my wife is an excellent seamstress, she wasn’t too keen to take on the hassle. After having success with the FixnZip® on my golf bag, I decided to try the new size “small” for my zipper repair for pants. For those of you have haven’t read my other post, FixnZip® is a replacement zipper slider that can be installed with no tools and no sewing. So, here’s how to fix a broken zipper on pants.
Since the old brass slider was shot, I removed it with a pair of pliers (technically I could have left it on if I wanted to test the FixnZip® first). I just loosened the thumbscrew on the FixnZip® replacement slider, slipped it over the teeth at the beginning of the zipper track, and tightened the thumbscrew back down. Just like that, the zipper was back up and running.
In addition to shorts, the small is great for items such as jeans, skirts, garments etc. It’s available for purchase at the FixnZip® Online Store for $9.99. And starting at the end of March, you’ll be able to buy the FixnZip® at JoAnn Fabric Stores nationwide.
Still skeptical? Here’s an adorable blog review of the FixnZip® size “small” being used to repair a broken zipper on a pair of children’s pajamas (Click here for Blog Review). If you have any questions on how to fix a broken zipper on pants with FixnZip®, please feel free to email me using the “Contact Us” page or hit us up on Facebook and Twitter.
Jonathan
Welcome to the very first FixnZip blog post. My name is Jonathan and I’ve been working at FixnZip for about a year. In my time working here, I’ve gathered more information about zippers than any normal person should. As I’ve talked with our customers, I’ve realized that there’s a general lack of information about zippers out there. There’s even less on zipper repair.
Whether you like to go camping, boating, golfing, hunting, fishing, traveling, or surfing, the world of zippers is enormous. Heck they even zip you up in a body bag when you die. Everyday life is filled with zippers, and yet we have no idea what to do when a zipper breaks. That is why I decided to start a blog dedicated to zipper repair and zipper education. I’ll be updating about twice a week and posts will cover topics from zipper sizes to diverse applications of the FixnZip product. I’ll also be giving updates on upcoming products and promotions.
If you have questions, comments, or have a topic you want me to cover, you can comment below, facebook me, or use the “contact us” page on the FixnZip website. I hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for updates.
Jonathan
