Well, I know you historic clothing people could probably do without it. But, really can you imagine having to either hook up, button up or lace up every garment you wearing.
That wouldn't leave any time for surfing the internet now would it??

From Thomas Net website.
The first semblance of a zipper model traces back to Elias Howe, the founder of the sewing machine. In 1851, he created a patent for a device named An Automatic Continuous Clothing Closure, which had a similar function to the modern zipper, although the composition was significantly different. The product operated as individual clasps that were joined manually, and pulled shut by using a string, creating a “gathered” effect. Ultimately, Howe did not continue developing his model, and several years went by before another patent was created.
Whitcomb’s second patent in 1893 was a transition from the former bulky clasps to hooks and eyes. This device, later called “C-curity” was a series of loops (short metal extensions) that were manually laced into the boot or shoe. The improvement was significant because the device functioned as a unit instead of as individual clasps. Eventually, it proved to be ineffective because it had a tendency to spring open.
Here is some basic knowledge about him from the Idea Finder website.
Inventor - Gideon Sundback
Criteria - First to patent. Modern prototype.
Birth - 1880
Death - June 21, 1954
Nationality - Swedish
Invention - zipper in 1913
Function - noun / zip-per / Originally a trademark
Definition - A fastening device consisting of parallel rows of metal, plastic, or nylon teeth on adjacent edges of an opening that are interlocked by a sliding tab
Patent - 1,060,378 (US) issued April 29,1913
Milestones:
1851 Patent # 8,540 issued Nov. 25, automatic, continuous clothing closure, Elias Howe,
1893 Patent # 504,037 issued Aug. 25, shoe fastener, hook-and-eye, Whitcomb L. Judson,
1894 Universal Fastener Company formed
1904 Automatic Hook and Eye Company
1905 C-urity, Whitcomb L. Judson,
1913 hookless fastener, Otto Frederick Gideon Sundback,
1917 Patent # 1,219,881 (US) issued Mar. 20, 1917, Talon, separable fastener, Gideon Sundback,
1925 Zipper name, B. F. Goodrich Company,
1928 Hookless Fastener Comapny renamed Talon, Inc.
1934 zipper manufacturing, YKK group,
zipper, clothing, fastening device, apparel, Sundback, Gideon Sundback, Elias Howe, Whitcomb L. Judson, B. F. Goodrich Company, history, invention, facts, inventor, biography.
I would say sometime in the 30s. But, there is a wonderful scene in the TV series "House of Elliot", about fashion designing sisters in the early 20th Century, when a zipper is put into a dress for an elderly client during the 1920s so she can dress herself easily.
And, if you haven't seen this series, it really is a must. Here is a link to it. I think you can get it on Netflix.
I really loved watching it ... so did my sister Theresa LaQuey.