There are some items that are so useful that you can’t help but be interested in their origins and histories. That said, there are also items that are so useful that people take them entirely for granted. It’s a strange contrast, but that’s just how it is! For example, you never really thought of the history of the Ziploc bag until reading about it just now, have you?
For most people, the Ziploc bag is something that’s always existed — perhaps they think it existed even before the primary company, Ziploc, opened its doors. It’s easy to assume, due to how useful Ziploc bags can be. That said, there’s always an origin point somewhere, and the seemingly mundane yet useful Ziploc bag has its own interesting history to share. Here’s a quick look into the history of the Ziploc bag!
Who invented the Ziploc bag?
Steven Ausnit is known as the developer of the Ziploc bag. He’s known as the pioneer of the original Ziploc, though there are plenty of stories about how he managed to design such an invention.
The Ziploc bag’s key contributors (and evolution)
- Borge MadsenThe original inventor of the plastic zipper
Before the advent of the Ziploc, Borge Madsen developed a zipper that worked on plastic. That said, he built it with no real intent regarding its use. It was simply an invention that anyone could use to create their products, which is what Steve Ausnit did.
- Seisan Nihon ShaThe company responsible for merging the plastic zipper with a bag
Steven Ausnit developed Ziploc by getting the rights for a product developed by Seisan Nihon Sha, a Japanese company. They managed to figure out how to incorporate the zipper into the bag, which Steven Ausnit surmised would help cut down production by half.
- Steven AusnitThe inventor of the Ziploc bag
Steven Ausnit was the pioneer of the Ziploc bag, and he was smart enough to know how to get what he wanted from various sources. He was researching plastic zippers long before he got the rights from Seisan Nihon Sha, which is more than enough to distinguish him as the de facto inventor.
- Dow ChemicalThe company responsible for allowing Steve Ausnit to develop the Ziploc bag
While Steve Ausnit was able to get the rights for plastic zippers incorporated into the bag, it wasn’t until Dow Chemical contacted his company that they were able to get their big break. Dow Chemical wanted an exclusive grocery-store license, which led to the creation of the bag with the Ziploc name. The brand itself wasn’t an overnight success — it still took a few years for the bags to become indispensable!
When was the Ziploc bag invented?
The Ziploc bag was invented in 1968, but it didn’t become an immediate success. It was only around the early 70s when people began to notice the product. As far as the creation of the plastic zipper by Borge Madsen, it was in 1951.
A brief history of the Ziploc bag
Just how can the Ziploc bag be interesting enough to merit a history section? The details just might surprise you. While we know that Steven Ausnit is the pioneer of the bag and the name Ziploc, many things had to happen for Steven to accomplish his goals. First and foremost was the development and invention of the plastic zipper. By the 1940s, quite a few people were looking into the uses of the plastic zipper, and Borge Madsen was the first inventor to successfully develop the plastic zipper. That said, he created it with no real end goal in mind, and so the invention was free pickings for anyone to use.
Steven Ausnit had been researching the potential for plastic zippers around the year that Borge Madsen developed a successful design. Steven used that very design to kickstart his company, which focused on plastic zippers. He then looked into designs that could successfully incorporate the plastic zipper into a plastic bag. The Japanese company Seisan Nihon Sha had a design that was the perfect fit, and so Steven went ahead and got the rights. Mixing the two together, he was able to develop a product that would eventually become the Ziploc bag.
Eventually Dow Chemical approached Steven about the potential for an exclusive grocery-store deal that used the latter’s plastic zipper bags. Steven agreed, and the Ziploc bag was born. The brand itself wasn’t an overnight success — it still took a few years for the bags to become indispensable! These days, just about everyone knows what a Ziploc bag is, as it’s hard to imagine a world without it.
The Ziploc bag timeline
- 1951Borge Madsen invents the plastic zipper
Borge Madsen built it with no real intent regarding its use. It was simply an invention that anyone could use to create their products, which is what Steve Ausnit did.
- 1962Incorporating a plastic zipper into the bag
Steven Ausnit developed Ziploc by getting the rights for a product developed by Seisan Nihon Sha, a Japanese company. They managed to figure out how to incorporate the zipper into the bag, which Steven Ausnit surmised would help cut down production by half.
- 1965The creation of the Ziploc Bag
While Steve Ausnit was able to get the rights for plastic zippers incorporated into the bag, it wasn’t until Dow Chemical contacted his company that they were able to get their big break. Dow Chemical wanted an exclusive grocery-store license, which led to the creation of the bag with the Ziploc name. The brand itself wasn’t an overnight success — it still took a few years for the bags to become indispensable!
Where was the Ziploc bag invented?
The Ziploc bag was invented in San Diego, USA. Of course, the details regarding the creation of the bag come from different areas, including Japan for the incorporation of the plastic zipper.
The importance of the Ziploc bag
- The easy-grip seal
One thing that many people tend to underestimate about the Ziploc bag is just how useful the easy-grip seal actually is. Back when it was new, there was nothing like it, and people quickly grew fond of the seal. It’s a plastic bag developed to be as convenient as possible with packaging, and it gets the job done.
- Unmatched in versatility
All you have to do is search online for the uses of Ziploc bags and you might get overwhelmed by the number of articles giving benefit after benefit. There’s a good chance you might even learn new things about the Ziploc bag by simply searching up its most common uses.
- A tool without peer
Ever since its inception, Ziploc bags have never been unseated by another plastic bag. Ziploc bags are so useful that the people who grew to trust it didn’t bother getting anything else. It speaks volumes as to how useful such a bag is — enough that it can be considered a tool without peer.
- Still finding new uses
Jalapeno poppers tend to be a popular snack due to how it can help scratch that food itch people tend to have. From its spiciness to the addition of cheese, the breading, and even being wrapped in meat, it’s a snack with various layers of satisfaction.
The Ziploc bag by the numbers
- 5000000Your eyes don’t deceive you, that’s 5 million. Did you know that more than 5 million plastic bags are produced annually? For a fun little tidbit, if these plastic bags were to be set side by side, they can encircle the whole world several times.
- 160000As far as more unfortunate facts go, the global populace uses at least 160,000 plastic bags every second. That’s a mind boggling number to be sure, and it goes to show just how many people count on plastic bags. Of course, this counts for all plastic bags, and not just the Ziploc variant.
- 19731973 was the year when the Ziploc bag truly blew up among the populace.
Five facts about the Ziploc bag
- Surprisingly tear-resistant
If there’s one thing about Ziploc bags that still surprises people to this day, it’s the bag’s overall durability. It takes some effort to tear the plastic bag, which is odd considering how many other plastic storage bags are so easy to tear.
- The wash and rinse treatment
One little tidbit above talks about how many people get rid of plastic bags every second. A whopping 160,000 bags are discarded every second, but Ziploc bags are made to last. In fact, they can be washed and rinsed without any issues.
- The creation of plastic lumber
Did you know that a form of composite, plastic lumber can be created by mixing sawdust with melted plastic? It created a material that can be used for frames, tables, benches, and much more. It’s a surprisingly great use for the plastic from Ziploc bags that can no longer be used.
- The big Ziploc boom
When Ziploc bags finally gained traction in 1973, it became more widely available in various supermarkets around 1977. The 70s was known as the era when Ziploc bags made its claim as one of the most useful items around. From food to cosmetics and even games, it was plastic storage for just about anything.
- The first impressions
The very first impressions for the Ziploc bag design wasn’t met with a positive reception. Even during the testing phase, people weren’t sure how to even open such a bag — with one person tearing the plastic bag. Fortunately, the plastic zipper has become a part of modern society.
FAQ about the Ziploc bag
- Are Ziploc bags toxic?
It’s an understandable question, as even when plastic breaks down, it continues to be harmful to the environment. Fortunately, Ziploc bags are well within the safety parameters, so there’s little reason to worry.
- Are Ziploc bags reusable?
Some people have become so spoiled that they often buy new Ziploc bags rather than think about reusing them. Why not try to wash and rinse the bag? It works perfectly fine, and you can reuse it as many times as needed.
- How did Ziploc bags become so popular?
It’s pretty simple. Ziploc bags introduced the world to reusable plastic bags with plastic zippers. It might be commonplace now, but it was entirely new to the masses in the 70s.
- Just how many uses for Ziploc are there?
Honestly? People are still figuring that out. The uses of Ziploc bags have only increased over time as people find more and more ways to use it in everyday life.
