The zipper is a remarkable device that has been in use for over a century. Its inventor, Gideon Sundback, created a machine to manufacture zippers using Y-shaped metal wire. The machine's process involves cutting the wire into small pieces, then pressing down on them to create an indent on one side and a bump on the other. This process gives the zipper its strength, as it makes it difficult for the teeth to become unpaired. However, there is a way to compromise the zipper's strength: by inserting a pen between the teeth, which can create an opening. This is because the machine spaces the teeth so precisely that there's no room for the teeth to become unpaired.
The machine's precision is what makes the zipper so strong. It takes Y-shaped metal wire as an input and cuts it into small pieces, then presses down on these pieces to create an indent on one side and a bump on the other. This process is repeated for each Y-shaped piece, which are then clamped onto fabric. The result is a zipper that is incredibly strong and reliable. However, as mentioned earlier, the zipper can be compromised by inserting a pen between the teeth, which can create an opening.
So, the next time you use a zipper, remember how strong it is and how it's made. But also be aware of the potential weakness of the zipper lock on your suitcase, which might not be as reliable as you think.
