First work trousers, then a symbol of rebellion, today an indispensable piece of clothing for each of us. The first jeans were produced in 1873. They were invented by the couple Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. Their name is derived from the Italian city of Genoa.
Originally, rivets were not a decorative element
Levi Strauss sold cotton fabrics in San Francisco, Jacob Davis, a tailor from Reno, Nevada, was his customer. Davis made tents, wagon covers, and blankets for horses. One day, at the request of a customer, he created strong denim pants, which he reinforced with rivets. He then wrote to Levi Strauss. Together they obtained a patent for an “improvement in the fastening of pocket holes”, became partners and began to mass-produce trousers.
Today, the technique of producing breeches has advanced, but at the end of the 19th century, rivets played a big role. In the most vulnerable parts of the pants, such as the corners of the back pockets and the crotch, they helped to maintain tension and prevent tearing.
What about a little pocket?
The very first jeans had a total of 4 pockets. One in the back, two in the front plus one tiny one. It was originally intended as a pocket for a pocket watch. It was supposed to protect them, prevent them from being rubbed off and lost.
Also worth mentioning is the so-called “bartack” stitch – a series of short stitches sewn close together. These are used in the most stressed areas to strengthen the fabric. You can still find them on your jeans today.
Points of Interest
We all know from our own experience that there are cheaper jeans and more expensive jeans. The most expensive ones were sold for approximately 30 million Czech crowns, but to justify this price it must be added that the back pockets were studded with diamonds. The second most expensive jeans cost almost 6 million Czech crowns. Their value also lay in the method of production. The fabric was first washed 30 times, then it was dyed. The pants were handcrafted and the designers added two rubies, a diamond and also white and rose gold elements.
And if you feel that some jeans are too long for you, it’s definitely not so bad. The longest jeans in the world measure over 65 meters and are listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Photo: Shutterstock, source: Historyofjean, Levistrauss
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