"For more than a century, the zipper has stayed more or less the same: two interlocking rows of teeth, a sliding pull, and the fabric tape that holds it together. It's one of those inventions that conquered the world by blending into it. Billions are used every day, yet few people ever stop to think about how they work. Now,"
""We wanted to address the challenges involved in zipper sewing," says Makoto Nishizaki, vice president of YKK's Application Development Division. The idea grew out of a collaboration with JUKI Corporation, a leader in industrial sewing machines. Together, the two companies reconsidered how a zipper could be made and how it could merge more seamlessly with fabric. The partnership began in 2017 and made its public debut at the JIAM 2022 Osaka trade show-a detail that hints at how long YKK plays the long game."
YKK redesigned the zipper by eliminating the woven fabric tape to create the AiryString. The absence of tape makes the fastening lighter, sleeker, and far more flexible. The AiryString sinks into a garment rather than sitting on top of it, allowing a more seamless integration with fabric. The redesign originated from a collaboration with JUKI Corporation beginning in 2017 and debuted publicly at the JIAM 2022 Osaka trade show. YKK manufactures roughly half the world's zippers and reported over $6 billion in revenue in 2023. The redesign aims to address zipper sewing challenges and improve garment performance.
Read at WIRED
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