From the hook-and-eye to velcro: does a new invention always displace the previous one?

I was listening to the Book of the Week on Radio 4, B is for Bauhaus, and I was taken with the history of the invention and patenting of the zip or zipper. It reminded me of how human invention and design is reflected in Nature. The hook-and-eye was major step forward in the clothing business, since it allowed a whole range of items to "stay up!". As clothing became increasingly sophisticated and those with sufficient money would buy and wear more and more individual items, the demand for secure fasteners also increased. However, which came first the hook-and-eye or the button. It is clear that ornamental buttons have been around for a couple of thousand years, but buttons and importantly, button holes developed before the hook-and-eye, which surprised me. 


The question I asked myself as the author began discussing the impact of the arrival of the zip fastener in its current form: did it ring the death knell for the button? (Moreover, did velcro seal the fate of the zipper?) Well yes the zipper did for trousers, but not for suit jackets (well not all). But more importantly, this is a story of niche businesses and the adjustments and the accommodations made by society (globally) to make way for a new invention that improves upon one idea in many ways.....but not all. What is the lesson from this story? Well as an undergraduate it was made very clear that all enzymes are proteins. However, in the mid 1980s, it emerged that certain RNA molecules possessed catalytic activity. Did this turn the world of Biochemistry upside down? No, it just made everyone rethink their fundamental assumptions and it became clear that catalytic RNA was not as effective in general terms as protein catalysts, but rather there are some aspects of bio-transformation that are best achieved by RNA enzymes. Moreover, maybe catalytic RNA preceded protein-based enzymes....

Today, you can by a box of hooks and eyes on E Bay just as easily as a box of buttons or zips. You can also expect to find a hook-and-eye in one or two places where you will never find a button or a zip. The point is you may have to adjust your business plan/model in order to survive, but this is where long term business planning and foresight management is important. Other examples would transport: ships, trains, planes....bicycles. They all co-exist and different opportunities exist in different markets. So include some thoughts on long term sustainability and think of examples of coexisting products and examples were an invention has been completely replaced (I immediately think of a product that goes together with a TV). 




And then of course there is velcro, and its biological mimic!