Monday Open Line


Today marks the completion of the first full century of an invention many — if not most — of us use every day without a second thought. In April 1913, Hoboken, New Jersey resident Gideon Sundbach patented the zipper. He called his invention the “hookless fastener.” Improved and patented again in 1917 as the “separable fastener,” for many years the invention was used mainly on rubber boots. Such was the use by the B.F. Goodrich Company, which gave the fastener the now familiar name “zipper.” But in 1930, fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli became the first to display them on clothing. As the creation enters its second century of service, manufacturing zippers and other slide fasteners for the apparel industry is a $176 million a year business. Profile America is in its17th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sunday, April 27th. For many years, the word “mouse” commonly evoked thoughts of Mickey. But that association began to be eclipsed on this date in 1981 when the Xerox Corporation, then a major developer, introduced the mouse to the commercial computing world. Its 80-10 information system — with the mouse — didn’t catch on, mostly because it cost $20,000. But the mouse itself roared elsewhere in the computer industry and is still holding its own. Today, there are 420 domestic computer manufacturers in the country, along with almost 670 establishments making peripheral equipment and items. Together, they employ some 67,000 workers. You can find current data on the country’s economy by downloading the America’s Economy mobile application at <www.census.gov/mobile>.

Saturday, April 26th. G’day! This is Hug an Australian Day — seriously. I mean “fair dinkum.” The occasion is brought to you by the same folks who promote such observances as No Housework Day and No Socks Day, but not yet brought to you by the greeting card industry. The idea is to hug an Australian as thanks for all the years of friendship Aussies have given us, and appropriately follows yesterday’s ANZAC Day, the Australian version of Memorial Day. If you manage to hug Nicole Kidman or Russell Crowe, you’re doing ace, mate. In a U.S. population of over 317 million people, just under 100,000 are Australia-born. Conversely, in an Australian population of almost 23 and a half million, some 77,000 residents are expatriated Americans. You can find more facts about America’s people, places and economy from the American Community Survey at <www.census.gov>.