On May 20, 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob W. Davis received a patent for “Improvements in Fastening Pocket-Openings.” This was riveted denim work pants under the name Levi Strauss & Co., a popular blue jean company that is still in business today. Davis, a tailor from Reno, Nevada and who was one of Strauss’ customers, went into business with Strauss in the early 1870s. Levi Strauss was born in February 1829 in Bavaria. At the age of 18, he moved to the United States to run a dry goods store with his brothers in New York. During the California Gold Rush, Strauss traveled to San Francisco in 1854 to open a west coast branch to sell goods and supplies to gold miners. His business sold a variety of clothing items, including trousers made from canvas. Davis, who came up with the idea for metal riveted pants, sought Strauss as an investor and to submit the patent together. Photograph of Levi Strauss ca. 1860, courtesy of the San Francisco Public Library. #onthisday #todayinhistory #levist...