Zippers are tiny. They are everywhere. And they are far more complex than you might think.
First introduced at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, the zipper didn’t gain traction until 1913 when it was redesigned as a “separable fastener.” Over the past century, this humble device has become a staple of the sewn goods industry. While its mechanics have remained largely unchanged, its impact on daily life is undeniable.
Take a moment to look at the zipper on your jacket, pants, or bag. Odds are it says “YKK” on it. That’s short for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha, which translates to Yoshida Company Limited. YKK manufactures about half of the world’s zippers and is widely regarded as the best because their zippers simply work.
It’s hard to imagine life without zippers. Think about it:
- Button-fly jeans? No, thank you.
- More Velcro? Please, no.
The zipper is such a small item, but its utility is immeasurable. Interestingly, the word “zipper” itself is an onomatopoeia—named for the distinctive “zip” sound it makes. Yet, this seemingly simple invention is actually a combination of multiple components:
- Elements/Teeth
- Coil/Chain
- Pull Tab
- Slider
- And more…
For the Infinity Pocket, it was that last component—the slider—that became a massive challenge.
The Quest for the Perfect Slider
Unfortunately, YKK doesn’t make a dual-channel zipper slider, which is essential for the Infinity Pocket. Neither does anyone else. After scouring the globe and coming up empty-handed, I realized I’d have to create one myself.
The internal geometry of a zipper slider is far more intricate than it seems. Making the first prototype slider was relatively simple—a grinder and some epoxy got the job done. But creating a production-ready version? That was a whole different story.
It took over 20 iterations to get it right. Thanks to 3-D printing, I was able to test and refine the design, but every detail mattered:
- The shape
- The material
- The finish
- How to attach the pull tab
My early engineering experience proved invaluable here. Back in college, I spent two years as a co-op engineer at an investment casting foundry. There, I learned about injection molding, metallurgy, material mechanics, and metal finishing. It had been years since I’d applied that knowledge, but I remembered just enough to communicate effectively with people who could help. I also had to relearn a lot—and pick up entirely new skills, like how to 3-D print.
The Bigger Lesson: Learn to Build Your Vision
Here’s the part where I get to the point. Whether you’re creating something new or working toward a big goal, you’ll often need to learn something new. Sometimes, it’s about diving deep enough to master the skill yourself. Other times, it’s about learning just enough to communicate your vision to the right people who can help you bring it to life.
The hardest part? Facing down the fear that tells you, I can’t do this. It’s easy to believe you’re not capable, but that’s where growth happens. Don’t give in to the doubt. Push forward. Learn what you need to know. You might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.
What Have You Learned That You Thought You Couldn’t?
The process of learning something new isn’t always easy, but it’s almost always worth it. For me, designing a dual-channel zipper slider for the Infinity Pocket was as much about perseverance as it was about technical skill. What about you? What’s something you’ve learned to do that you once thought was impossible?
