Levi Strauss and Co. factory, 1882.

The World's First Jeans

From the time of the California Gold Rush through the early 20th century, San Francisco was one of the most important Jewish communities on the west coast. Businessman Levi Strauss (1829-1902) prospered in the gold rush, although not by panning for gold. He emigrated from Bavaria in 1847 and worked in business in New York with his brothers. In 1853, he decided to try his luck on the West Coast, and he imported and sold dry goods to miners and settlers in San Francisco. Strauss was also active in the Jewish community and helped found congregation Emanu-El. In 1872, Jacob Davis, a tailor in Reno, Nevada, approached Strauss with his idea for adding rivets to pants for strength. Davis wanted help from a larger business, and together, Davis and Strauss were granted the patent on riveted pants in 1873--the world's first jeans were born. Strauss was also a philanthropist, giving to both Jewish and civic causes, and both Jewish and secular groups publicly mourned his death.