(SGI) YKK, the Japanese producer of fasteners, has come up with a zipper that substitutes magnets for interlocking teeth. The aptly named Magnet Zipper seals the two sides of a garment by electromagnetic attraction when they are brought close together. As the company explains, this makes the zipper easy to operate even blind, which should make it a natural product for the elderly, the disabled and children as well as for athletes who want a quick change. YKK hopes to begin mass production next year. Last summer, the company introduced the Click-Trak zipper, which replaced insert pins with rotating snaps to make closing easier.

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