Page 179 - For Men of Understanding

The Velcro Bandage and the Burr

The Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral developed a
new buttoning system called the Velcro Bandage by
imitating burrs.
After spending a great deal of effort in getting rid of
these parts of plants sticking to his clothes, Mestral
thought to use the system of these plants in the
clothing industry. He formed the same clasping
system in an overcoat by putting the hooks of this
part of the plant on one side and the curls of an
animal’s coat on the other.
Due to the flexibility of the hooks and curls, the
system attaches and detaches easily, without wearing
out. This is why the suits of astronauts are today
equipped with Velcro bandages.

rior wisdom whose existence they have grasped through science is unques-
tionably Allah, the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth.

For instance, after dolphins were studied, a projection called the "dolphin
snout" was added to ships’ bows, which were initially produced in a "V" shape.
Designers understood that the structure of the dolphin’s snout is ideal for the
best hydrodynamic cutting through water. No doubt, not only the structure of
the snout, but all the features of the dolphin are ideal, because each one of

them is the work of Allah Who is the "Maker" (Surat al-Hashr: 24)
In this chapter, we will review models, which designers produced by imi-
tating nature as in the example of the dolphin. We will draw attention to the
excellence of the creation of Allah. These features of living beings, each one of
which is a wonder of design, are very important for appreciating the might of
Allah. The features of living beings here covered have existed for millions of

years, that is, since they were created. Man, however, has only been able to
imitate some of their features in the last couple of centuries. For those who can
see the evidence of the might of Allah, everything in nature is endowed with
such features. This is stated in a verse:
(These are) an instruction and a reminder for every penitent human
being. (Surah Qaf: 8)

The Signs in Living Things 177