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Levi Strauss
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The Invention of Blue JeansThe Invention of Blue JeansBusiness Expansion and DiversificationBusiness Expansion and DiversificationLevi Strauss's Personal Life and RelationshipsLevi Strauss's Personal Life and RelationshipsEvolution of Jeans: From Workwear to Fashion IconEvolution of Jeans: From Workwear to Fashion IconThe California Gold Rush and Establishment of Levi Strauss & Co.The California Gold Rush and Establishment of Levi Strauss & Co.Philanthropy and Community Involvement TimelinePhilanthropy and Community Involvement TimelineSuccession and Leadership After Levi's DeathSuccession and Leadership After Levi's DeathEarly Life and Immigration TimelineEarly Life and Immigration TimelineThe Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and its Impact on Levi Strauss & Co.The Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and its Impact on Levi Strauss & Co.Main milestonesMain milestonesLevi Strauss & Co. Goes Public and Returns to Private OwnershipLevi Strauss & Co. Goes Public and Returns to Private Ownership
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Levi Strauss - German-Jewish-born American businessman

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03.04.25
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Overview

Levi Strauss, born Löb Strauß in Buttenheim, Bavaria, was an iconic figure in American history. He wasn't a miner, a cowboy, or a railroad worker, yet he clothed them all. His vision and entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of blue jeans, a garment that has transcended its humble beginnings to become a global symbol of work, rebellion, and casual style. This timeline traces his life from his birth in Bavaria to his legacy as a San Francisco business leader and the man who gave the world denim.
Main Milestones
Birth in Buttenheim, Bavaria
February 26, 1829
Löb Strauß was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria, to Hirsch Strauß and his second wife, Rebecca Haas Strauß. He grew up in a Jewish family in a small rural town, experiencing a traditional upbringing and likely facing the challenges and limitations imposed on Jewish communities in 19th-century Germany. This early life shaped his values and instilled in him a strong work ethic, qualities that would prove invaluable in his later endeavors.
Immigration to America
1847
Following his father's death and the lure of opportunity, Löb, along with his mother and two sisters, immigrated to New York City to join his older half-brothers, Jonas and Louis, who had already established a dry goods business. He anglicized his name to Levi and began working in the family business, learning the fundamentals of commerce and gaining valuable experience in trading and retail.
Moving to San Francisco
1853
Driven by the California Gold Rush, Levi Strauss moved to San Francisco. He established a wholesale dry goods business under his own name, Levi Strauss & Co. Instead of mining for gold himself, he aimed to supply the needs of the burgeoning population, providing tents, clothing, blankets, and other essential goods. This demonstrated his business acumen and his ability to identify opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.
Partnership with Jacob Davis
1872
Levi received a letter from Jacob Davis, a tailor in Reno, Nevada, who was a customer of Levi Strauss & Co. Davis described his method of using rivets to reinforce stress points on work pants, making them much more durable. Lacking the funds to patent the idea himself, Davis proposed a partnership with Strauss. This collaboration marked a pivotal moment, laying the groundwork for the creation of the iconic blue jeans.
Patent for Riveted Clothing
1873
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received U.S. Patent No. 139,121 for "Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings." This patent protected their method of using rivets to reinforce work pants, giving them a significant competitive advantage. This date marks the official birth of what would eventually become known as blue jeans. The original design included copper rivets at the stress points, including the pockets and fly.
Lot Number 501
1890
The company assigned lot numbers to its products. The famous "501" designation was assigned to the riveted waist overalls, now known as jeans. This number has since become synonymous with Levi's and is recognized globally as a classic style. The introduction of lot numbers helped with inventory management and quality control, further solidifying Levi Strauss & Co. as a leader in the apparel industry.
Death in San Francisco
September 26, 1902
Levi Strauss passed away peacefully at his home in San Francisco at the age of 73. He never married and left his company to his four nephews. At the time of his death, Levi Strauss & Co. was a well-established and respected business. While he didn't live to see the full extent of his creation's global impact, he had undoubtedly laid the foundation for a cultural phenomenon.

Other Themed Timelines

Business Expansion and DiversificationBusiness Expansion and DiversificationEarly Life and Immigration TimelineEarly Life and Immigration TimelineEvolution of Jeans: From Workwear to Fashion IconEvolution of Jeans: From Workwear to Fashion IconLevi Strauss & Co. Goes Public and Returns to Private OwnershipLevi Strauss & Co. Goes Public and Returns to Private OwnershipLevi Strauss's Personal Life and RelationshipsLevi Strauss's Personal Life and RelationshipsPhilanthropy and Community Involvement TimelinePhilanthropy and Community Involvement TimelineSuccession and Leadership After Levi's DeathSuccession and Leadership After Levi's DeathThe California Gold Rush and Establishment of Levi Strauss & Co.The California Gold Rush and Establishment of Levi Strauss & Co.The Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and its Impact on Levi Strauss & Co.The Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and its Impact on Levi Strauss & Co.The Invention of Blue JeansThe Invention of Blue Jeans
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