MAY 20

Though we know the jeans by Levi Strauss's name, it was actually Jacob W. Davis who designed the pattern for the pants. He was also the one who thought to use metal rivets to strengthen the parts of the jeans that were more likely to tear. So why were they named after Strauss? Well, it's simple: he had the money!

The pair met in San Francisco at Strauss's shop in the 1850s, but Davis moved around a lot in the coming years, including to parts of Canada and Nevada. All the while, he continued to buy goods and material from Levi Strauss.

In 1871, while Davis was working as a tailor in Reno, NV, he purchased cotton denim from Strauss and began making strong and durable pants he called jeans. They were so popular with workers that he had a hard time keeping up with the demand. Davis approached Strauss in 1872 about becoming partners, and Strauss agreed. They applied for a patent for the riveted jeans, and on this day in 1873 were awarded US Patent No. 139,121 or "Improvements in fastening pocket openings."

It was a great business decision. Levi Strauss & Co. was recently valued at $4.7 billion dollars, it employs over 15,000 people all over the world, and sells the jeans in 110 countries.

If you ever have an idea for an invention, you can file for a patent with the United States Patent Office for a small fee. This will protect your idea and keep other people from copying and profiting off of your ingenuity!

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