Strauss, Levi (1829-1902), was an American clothing manufacturer. He founded Levi Strauss & Co., the world’s first and largest manufacturer of denim jeans, which are sold under the brand name Levi’s.
Strauss was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria, on Feb. 26, 1829. He came to the United States in 1847 to join the dry goods business of his two brothers in New York City. In 1853, he opened a San Francisco wholesale business and began making sturdy work pants for miners. The business later became Levi Strauss & Co. A Nevada tailor, Jacob Davis, wrote to the firm in 1872 suggesting the company make work pants with rivets to reinforce the seams. Strauss hired Davis, and in 1873 the company began producing riveted blue denim jeans and jackets. Gradually, the firm expanded to make other clothing in many fabrics. Strauss died on Sept. 26, 1902. Today, the company is one of the world’s leading clothing manufacturers.
