Murdoch's Miracle Fastener

Detective Murdoch was drawing on the blackboard when George entered his office, "Sir! What's that, something to do with your latest case?"

"No George, this is something I've been thinking about for some time. See George, if you have two strips of fabric and you put small loops on one piece and tiny hooks on the other," Murdoch pointed to the appropriate examples on the board, "you can press the two together and the hooks will catch in the loops." He beamed at George, his voice full of excitement.

George looked at Murdoch quizzically, "But why would you want to do that Sir?"

"To fasten clothes George!"

"But we have buttons and hooks for that."

"Yes George, but you need two hands to fasten them."

"I don't understand why we'd need to fasten something with one hand when we have two!"

"It's not just fastening with one hand George. When Dr. Ogden and I married I realized how difficult it is for a woman to dress by herself. She needs someone to lace up her corset, fasten the buttons down the back of her blouse and do up the hooks on the back of her skirt. Before moving into the hotel Dr. Ogden had a maid that would help her."

"So who does it now Sir?"

"I do George! But if I have to leave early then Dr. Ogden has to call for a hotel maid to help her get dressed."

"I see your point Sir. If she could fasten it with one hand she could just reach around like so," George demonstrated by reaching his own hand around his back. "Or even back up against a wall or post," again he demonstrated the technique.

"Yes George! Just think how much easier it would be if all you had to do was run your hand down your shirt to fasten it. But it's not just that, the ladies wouldn't need help to get dressed!"

"And how much easier to go to the.... You wouldn't have to undo all those buttons," Murdoch gave him an exasperated look, "if you were desperate...." George trailed off. "So what would you make the loops and hooks out of? And how would you get them to stick to the fabric?"

Looking at his drawing Murdoch twisted his mouth and cocked his head, "I haven't thought about that yet."

"What would you call it Sir?"

"I haven't thought about that either...."