The Zipper: An Invention Born of HeartbreakHow one man's sorrow led to a world-changing device.

From the show

The Secret Life of Objects

The humble zipper holds a story of profound loss and dedication. After his wife's tragic death, engineer Gideon Sundback channeled his grief into his work. This intense focus allowed him to perfect a flawed design, creating the reliable interlocking fastener we use every day. His invention is a quiet monument to how personal tragedy can fuel world-changing innovation.