The development of the zipper was oddly arduous, with many fastener versions tried out before the zipper we know today and have on our clothes, handbags, and luggage was finally figured out. 

Research:

• Friedel, Robert. “Zipper: an Exploration in Novelty.” W.W. Norton. 1994.
• Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "zipper". Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Apr. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/art/zipper
• Johnson, Ian. “Zipper anniversary: 10 bits of trivia to impress the pants off you.” CBC News. April 29, 2013. https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/zipper-anniversary-10-bits-of-trivia-to-impress-the-pants-off-you-1.1305202
• Lewis, Danny. “One Japanese Company Makes Half of the World’s Zippers.” Smithsonian. Sept 3, 2015. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/one-japanese-company-makes-half-worlds-zippers-180956482/
• “Gideon Sundback.” National Inventors Hall of Fame. https://www.invent.org/inductees/gideon-sundback
• Bauman, Richard. “The Ups and Downs of Success.” Fremont Tribune. Nov. 20, 2006. https://www.newspapers.com/image/550483507/?terms=whitcomb%20judson&match=1
• “Gideon Sundback celebrated in a Google doodle.” The Guardian. April 23, 2012. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/24/gideon-sundback-celebrated-google-doodle
• “Whitcomb Judson.” Lemelson MIT. https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/whitcomb-judson
• “Zipper’s Evolution Slow, Shaky.” Spokane Chronicle. March 16, 1978. https://www.newspapers.com/image/578438126/
• Altrowitz, Abe. “The Zipper was ‘Born’ and Raised Here.” The Minneapolis Star. June 12, 1973. https://www.newspapers.com/image/190250601/?terms=whitcomb%20judson&match=1