Today is the anniversary of the patent of one of the most important inventions of the last century, an invention that would completely revolutionise our everyday lives.

We probably give subconscious thanks several times a day to this particular inventor; every time we pack and unpack our bags, every time we dress and undress and every time we pay a visit to the little boy’s (or girl’s) room. We undoubtedly curse him too on the painful occasions we snag ourselves on the teeth of his invention – don’t think about it!

The inventor was Gideon Sundback, a Swedish-born US engineer who, on April 29^th 1913, patented the zip-fastener, an invention that would gradually reduce reliance on buttons, clasps, pins and bits of old string!

So, next time you get caught short and, fiddling with your clothing, only just make it to the bathroom in time, spare a thought for old Gideon. Whatever would we do without him!