Gideon Sundback

A zip needs to close reliably many times, not merely demonstrate that two edges can meet. Sundback improved earlier fasteners associated with Whitcomb Judson, developing closely spaced interlocking elements that made the mechanism more dependable. Manufacturing and clothing makers then helped make it commonplace. His contribution is a useful corrective to the single-inventor story: a practical refinement can matter more than being first with a rough version.