Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis are credited with inventing blue jeans in 1873, when they received a U.S. patent for using metal rivets to strengthen work pants made from denim, marking the “birth” of blue jeans on May 20, 1873.
Key facts
- The defining innovation of jeans was adding metal rivets at stress points (like pocket corners) to make durable work trousers; this improvement was patented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis on May 20, 1873.
- Jacob Davis, a Reno tailor, conceived the riveted-pants idea and partnered with Levi Strauss—his fabric supplier—to fund and file the patent, leading to their joint patent and the first blue jeans.
- Denim work pants existed prior, but the rivet innovation is why 1873 is widely regarded as the “birthday” of blue jeans, creating the garment recognized today as jeans.
