JAB: What does YKK mean?!

justaddbrains · Founder Guy Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 596

How come the vast majority of zips (flies) on my clothes have the letters YKK on them? What does it mean? Is there a worldwide patent owned by they mysterious YKK organisation? Someone please explain... Confused

jtdfm · Posted: Mar 29, 2003 9:24 pm Post subject:

YKK is a huge company that makes zippers!
Here is a bit of zipper history. The "clasp locker" as it was called, was invented in 1891 by Whitcomb L. Judson. The clasp locker was an assemblage of hooks and eyes that Judson thought would save people time and sore backs fastening their shoes with one hand. Later, in 1913, Gideon Sundback of Sweden developed the predecessor of today's zipper that used metal teeth, and patented it in 1917. Sundback's design was the first design that saw practical use. Sundback's "separable fastener" had more fasteners per inch than the earlier clasp locker. Later, the B.F. Goodrich Co. used the separable fastener in some rubber boots and came up with the name "zipper" because the boots could be fastened with one hand. Today, zippers are also made of plastic as well.

Founded in Japan in 1934, YKK was called Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha, but 60 years later the company changed its company name to match its brand name. The privately held YKK Co. is headquartered in Japan and is made up of 80 companies at 206 facilities in 52 countries. YKK makes the entire zipper including the dyed cloth and the brass used to make the zipper.

xzen72 · party member Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 2335

...........wow.... Laughing

jtdfm · Posted: Mar 30, 2003 1:06 pm Post subject:

justaddbrains · Founder Guy Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 596

Do you have YKK on any of your zippers?

...thanks BTW Cool

jtdfm · Posted: Mar 30, 2003 10:35 pm Post subject:

justaddbrains · Founder Guy Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 596

Founded: January 1 1934, Japan
Employees: 36,000 Worldwide
Locations: 218 Plants and Offices in 60 countries
YKK Group Annual Turnover: Approx. $6 Billion
Market Position: The world's leading designer, developer, manufacturer and supplier of quality fastening products.

Shocked

jtdfm · Posted: Mar 30, 2003 10:38 pm Post subject:

Hmmmmm, haven't seen this too often Exclamation

Posts at almost exactly the same time. Hadda be milliseconds Laughing

xzen72 · party member Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 2335

The only zipper on me, is free from markings compleatly.

justaddbrains · Founder Guy Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 596

bob · Posted: Mar 31, 2003 3:32 pm Post subject:

xzen72 · party member Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 2335

taranaki · Posted: Apr 01, 2003 12:28 am Post subject:

Thanks guys! Now Iknow who to sue next time iI have a "Something About Mary" moment.... Embarassed

_________________
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

bob · Posted: Apr 01, 2003 3:37 pm Post subject:

peachyboo · Posted: Apr 01, 2003 3:41 pm Post subject:

[quote="jtdfm]
Yessir I do, including the one I use on my mouth on occiasions Laughing

[/quote]

You better check that one for rust Wink

j/k
_________________
Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of the heart.