Velcro 1950s. The fastener consisted of two components: a lineal fabric strip with tiny hooks that could "mate" with another fabric strip with smaller loops, attaching temporarily, until pulled apart. Initially made of cotton, which proved impractical, the fastener was eventually constructed with nylon and polyester. De Mestral gave the name "Velcro", a portmanteau of the French words "velour" ("velvet") and "crochet" ("hook"), to his invention as well as his company, which continues to manufacture and market the fastening system. Velcro Velcro BVBA is a privately held company that produces fasteners and other products. It is known for being the original
John Willis (inventor) equivalent symbols, one for each single letter of the alphabet. John Willis (inventor) John Willis, (ca. 1575 – 28 November 1625) was a British clergyman, stenographer and mnemonician. He developed a simple style of shorthand based on the work by Timothy Bright. Willis graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge, in 1592. On 12 June 1601 he was admitted to the rectory of St. Mary Bothaw, Dowgate Hill, London. He resigned in 1606 on being appointed rector of Bentley Parva, Essex. In 1602 he published "The Art of Stenographie", which was a new and more practicable system to capture speech in "short