| (1829
- 1902) |
| Inducted: |
1994 |
| Region: |
West |
| Industry: |
Apparel
|
|
Levi Strauss proved that great ideas can be found in humble places. Strauss went to California following the Gold Rush. The miners were not interested in buying his tent canvas so he made his tent canvas into pants. Levi’s, as they were called from the start, were a hit. Strauss soon switched to using a heavy cotton fabric called denim. In 1872, Jacob Davis began putting copper rivets in trousers to keep the pockets from tearing. Davis and Strauss took out a joint patent and began developing sturdier Levi’s. |
