How burrs in the dog’s fur inspired a new, sticky closure for clothing. A classic biomimicry story that shows how a simple moment of curiosity - watching a plant do what it naturally does - can lead to one of the most widely used design innovations in the world.

The practice of learning from nature’s designs dates back centuries; Leonardo Da Vinci, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frei Otto, and Buckminster Fuller.

The humpback whale’s flippers provided insights into wind turbine design.

When discussing biomimicry, it makes sense to first review what biophilia is and maybe compare the two.

As Japan’s high-speed Shinkansen trains became faster, engineers encountered an unexpected problem. When trains exited tunnels, they produced a loud noise known as the “tunnel boom,” caused by sudden changes in air pressure.

Biomimicry is a movement, a design discipline, and a problem-solving method in which we create innovative designs while looking to nature as a model and mentor.