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,
George Baker (inventor) The contract ended up awarded to the Holland Torpedo Boat Company in 1895. The collaboration between Holland and the navy ultimately lead to the USS Holland (SS-1), the first modern submarine commissioned in the United States Navy. George Baker (inventor) George Collin Baker (December 21, 1844 - March 23, 1894) was an American inventor and submarine pioneer. In 1888, the US government announced a competition for submarine designs. Plans were submitted by Baker, John Philip Holland, Thorsten Nordenfelt and Josiah Tuck. Holland won the competition, but due to irregularities the contract was not awarded. Baker nevertheless built his submarine prototype