Those "mushroom heads" are the hooks in the Velcro-style hook-and-loop system. Individual loop appendages – or alternatively, 3D-printed strips of them – are fastened to the top and bottom edges of ...

As a species, we’ve done a pretty good job at inventing some useful devices. But as clever as we think we are, given sufficient time, natural selection will beat us at our game at almost every turn.

Hook and loop fasteners made of spring steel -- similar to Velcro devices but much stronger -- have been developed by researchers in Germany. These fasteners are resistant to chemicals, and can ...