At the end of the 1950s, a business started with Opti, a zipper manufacturer from Essen, to develop zippers made of plastic. This was rather innovative as the zipper Opti-lon® did not consist of individual teeth but of plastic spirals that were closed or separated by a slider. It was inexpensive and could be produced in any length or color. Its light weight and colorful design were new and Opti-lon® became very fashionable.