Hook-and-loop fastener Mestral's patent expired, prompting a flood of low-cost imitations from Taiwan, China and South Korea onto the market. Today, the trademark is the subject of more than 300 trademark registrations in over 159 countries. George de Mestral was inducted into the national inventors hall of fame for his invention. The big breakthrough George de Mestral made was to think about hook-and-eye closures on a greatly reduced scale. Hook-and-eye fasteners have been common for centuries, but what was new about hook-and-loop fasteners was the miniaturisation of the hooks and eyes. Shrinking the hooks led to the two other important differences. Firstly,
Swiss Militärblachen models differ in camouflage and part in fastening the buttons. They are sewn or riveted to the Militärblachen, very old models wearing the buttons on a strong string attached such that a button can be used on both sides - to the knob to the cord is pulled through the loop to the opposite side. Older Militärblachen have on one side the Swiss Military TAZ 83 camopattern, the new ones have on both sides a green camo pattern, who is not similar to the Swiss Military TAZ 90 patern. The Swiss Militärblache is square and has a side length of