Velcro can only be described as a breakthrough innovation.

Introduction. When it comes to fasteners, Velcro can only be described as a breakthrough innovation. Nothing since the zipper, invented in 1893, but not successfully commercialized until 1923, has revolutionized the fastener industry more then Velcro. Described as a "hook and loop fastening system", or the "touch fastener", Velcro can be found used in many aspects of contemporary living. Velcro has been used in clothing, shoes, sneakers, space suits, baby diapers, blood pressure cuffs, notebooks, toys, cars, …

…R., 2002, Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalisation, South-Western College Publishing, USA MacMillan, C., and McGrath, R. G., 1997, 'Discovering New Points of Differentiation', Harvard Business Review, July-August issue, pp 133-145 Timmons, J. A., and Spinelli, S, 2004, New Venture Creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century, (6th edn), Irwin, Boston. Collins, 1995, Concise Dictionary, Harper Collins Publisher, Sydney, Australia http://www.pa.msu.edu/~tomanek/nanovlecro-patent.html (26/03/04) www.velcro.com (19/03/04) http://hoovers.com/velcro (1/04/04) www.ripngrip.com (29/03/04) www.ykk.com (29/03/04)