Monday, Oct. 25, 2010
Velcro
Did you know that "velcro" is a portmanteau of two French words, velours and crochet? This bit of low-tech genius, marketed as the "zipperless zipper," is the exact opposite of a must-have, but its impact on modern society is hard to ignore. The "hook" and "loops" have made it easier to fasten shoes and keep objects in zero-g in one place. They've also made it possible to catapult yourself at a wall and stick — should you ever have the need to do so.