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Development Of Levi Jeans For Men

By Ray Hauser


Levi jeans for men embody a classic American style with a commitment to quality and fashion recognized and imitated around the world. The jeans are made by Levi Strauss & Co, a privately held American company founded in 1853 by Levi Strauss.

In 1847, Strauss immigrated to New York from Germany and joined his two brothers in their wholesale dry goods business. He became a U.S. citizen in 1853 and eventually travelled to San Francisco where he found abundant opportunities in the California Gold Rush. He initially resided with his sister Fanny and her family and soon opened his own dry goods store called Levi Strauss & Co. He peddled boots, clothing, canvas, bedding and other products to general stores in the region that largely catered to miners.

Jacob Davis, a Latvian immigrant, worked as a tailor in Reno, Nevada. He regularly purchased material from Strauss. Legend has it that a laborer's wife asked Davis to make some sturdy pants for her husband. Davis began incorporating metal rivets at the corners of the pockets and the button fly.

Davis contacted Strauss in 1872 about his rivet process. He wanted to obtain a patent on the idea, but he didn't have the money to file for an application. Strauss agreed to fund the process and they would share the patent. In May 1873, patent 139121 for the "Improvement in Fastening Pocket Openings" was issued to the two men and the way was opened for the production of Levi jeans.

Davis eventually joined Strauss in San Francisco to assist in the production of these jeans which were called "waist overalls." They were marketed under the brand name "XX" because nine ounce XX blue denim was used in making the jeans. Each pair had a crotch rivet, watch pocket, cinch, suspender buttons and arcuate stitching. The rivets were all embossed with "LS&CO" symbol.

In 1886, the Two Horse brand leather patch was first used to demonstrate the strength of the pants and reinforce Levi's status as the creator of patent riveted clothing. In 1890, the rivet patent expired and Levi's began using the 501 trademark to designate copper riveted waist overalls. These pants were originally listed in the catalog as number 501 and the name caught on. By 1928, "Levi's" was registered as a trademark.

By the 1950's teenagers began referring to Levi's as jeans and a zippered version of the jeans was introduced and called 501Z. By 1960, the word "overalls" was formally replaced by "jeans" in labels and advertising.

By the 1950's a zippered version of the jeans appeared and was called 501Z. Teenagers began calling Levi's "jeans" during this era and by 1960 the word "jeans" replaced "overalls" in labels and advertising. Levi jeans continue to be a world recognized symbol of American culture, fashion and style.




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