Close-up of the fruit of a thistle, Lappa major composae. The fruit is provided with many hook- like endings which attach them to the fleece of mammals. In this way they may spread over a large area. In 1951 the Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral, inspired by this natural model, devised the velcro fastener system. (See H100/407 for a picture of a tennis shoe with velcro fasteners).