Whitcomb L. Judson Whitcomb L. Judson Whitcomb L. Judson (March 7, 1846 – December 7, 1909) was an American machine salesman, mechanical engineer and inventor. Judson invented the zipper in the 1890s. Judson was born in Chicago, Illinois. According to the 1860 census, he lived in Illinois, and served in the Union army. He enlisted in 1861 at Oneida, Illinois in the Forty-Second Illinois Cavalry. Judson attended Knox College in his hometown Galesburg, Illinois. He was found in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1886. In 1886 and 1887 the Minneapolis city directory identifies Judson as a "traveling agent" — a traveling salesman working probably for
William Judson Jr. in Division 1-AA, which led to Judson transferring to the University of Illinois. As a senior at Illinois, Judson earned the "Key Contributor" award where he had 21 receptions for 401 yards and two touchdowns, including 5 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener vs. Missouri. Judson ran a 4.32 40 yard dash at the Illinois pro day, where he was later invited to camp by the Detroit Lions, where he was eventually released. William Judson Jr. William "Will" Thadius Judson Jr. (born December 10, 1985) is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver. He played