Another zip idea, inspired by an annotation on my last one. Sorry to be boring.
The unravelling of a DNA molecule is often compared to the undoing of a zip fastener. However, in reality zips consist of parallel rows of teeth. One could be constructed consisting of two helices of teeth with a slider that joins them together into a DNA-like double helix. The tapes holding the teeth could either be sown into flat fabric at intervals or one whole side of the garment could consist of a helix of fabric flattened into the rest of the garment as a sort of ruffle effect.
-- nineteenthly, Jun 10 2004

I can't picture this...
Perhaps if you could explain a bit better (or a diagram), this category could remain a bone free zone!
-- MikeOliver, Jun 10 2004


Seems like this would be a pain in the thumb to work with.
-- yabba do yabba dabba, Jun 10 2004


"Is the DNA zipper of your blue genes debased and opening, or are you just happy to see me?"
-- FarmerJohn, Jun 10 2004


Personally I'm against jeanetic engineering. Ahaha!Sorry.
-- harderthanjesus, Jun 10 2004


Jean splicing?
I think this deserves at least one + because it could possibly work, the fact that it would be a royal pain is beside the point. I think that it would be much like trying to re-coil a note pad spine, but if you have enough time on your hands have at it.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jun 10 2004


Maybe it could work, maybe not, but I can't figure what you'd attach together or what sort of opening you could close with it.
-- half, Jun 10 2004


Just as large numbers of buttons were a status symbol once because they implied that the wearer had a servant to help dress them, so this could occupy a similar niche, indicating that the wearer had a lot of time on their hands. I can't really provide a diagram because i couldn't draw it clearly.
-- nineteenthly, Jun 10 2004


I doubt this is even remotely possible. Fishbone unless you can come up with a plausible diagram.
-- DrCurry, Jun 10 2004


Do you mean that the two half-zips would be like two springs which would snuggle into eachother side by side? But the two strands of DNA are actually intertwined, and can't be seperated unless there's a free end (except locally, in which case the regions either side of the opened-up bit get over-twisted to compensate).
-- Basepair, Feb 03 2005


No, i'm talking about two helical tapes with teeth. However, i think it may be impossible.
-- nineteenthly, Feb 05 2005



random, halfbakery