Nature’s genius: How a burdock inspired velcro!

Did you know that the humble burdock sparked one of the most revolutionary inventions of the 20th century?

Swiss engineer George de Mestral noticed how burdock burrs clung stubbornly to his dog's fur and his clothes. Curious, he examined them under a microscope and discovered tiny hooks — the inspiration behind Velcro!

Today, Velcro is used everywhere, even by astronauts in space to keep tools and objects in place. Nature truly is the best inventor.

That’s biomimicry — when humans copy nature’s genius to solve problems!
But how do we go from nature to innovation?

By following six clever steps:

• 1. Define the problem
• 2. Biologize it (ask: how does nature do this?)
• 3. Discover cool creatures and strategies
• 4. Abstract the secret behind the magic
• 5. Emulate it in your own designs
• 6. Evaluate if it really works

Next time you see a bug, a leaf, or a bird… ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?”
Nature’s not just cool — it’s the ultimate designer!
Want to explore more about Biomimicry? Visit: https://letsmimic.eu