Velcro was invented in 1941 by George de Mestral.  The name Velcro is a combination of the French words “velours” and “croché” (basically, “hooked velvet”). 

De Mestral’s hook-and-fastener idea was inspired by burrs that would get caught in his dog’s fur as they went on walks.

There truly is nothing more inspirational than a dog covered in burrs.