Levi Strauss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Levi Strauss
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| Born |
Löb Strauß
February 26, 1829 Buttenheim, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Confederation
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| Died | September 26, 1902 (aged 73) San Francisco, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | German-American |
| Citizenship | German Confederation (1829–1853) United States (1853–1902) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founding the first company to manufacture riveted blue jeans Founder of the Levi Strauss & Co. |
Levi Strauss (born Löb Strauß on February 26, 1829 – died September 26, 1902) was a German-born American businessman. He is famous for starting the first company to make blue jeans. His company, Levi Strauss & Co. (also known as Levi's), began in 1853 in San Francisco, California.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to America
Levi Strauss was born in a town called Buttenheim in Germany on February 26, 1829. His family was Jewish.
When he was 18, in 1847, Levi traveled with his mother and two sisters to the United States. They went to join his brothers, Jonas and Louis, who had a business in New York City. His brothers sold "dry goods," which included things like blankets and sewing supplies.
After arriving in New York, Levi worked as a traveling salesman. He sold items from his brothers' store, such as kettles, blankets, and sewing materials.
Starting a Business in California
Levi became an American citizen in 1853. His family decided to open a new branch of their dry goods business on the West Coast. They chose San Francisco, California, because it was a busy city during the California Gold Rush.
Levi was chosen to go to San Francisco. He traveled by steamship through Panama and arrived in early 1854. There, he started his own wholesale business called Levi Strauss & Co..
He imported many items from his brothers in New York. These included clothing, bedding, combs, and handkerchiefs. He also made tents and, later, pants.
The Invention of Blue Jeans
A tailor named Jacob W. Davis from Nevada was one of Levi's customers. In 1871, Davis came up with a clever idea. He found a way to make work pants stronger by using small metal pieces called rivets. These rivets were placed at stress points, like pockets.
Davis asked Levi Strauss to help him get a patent for this invention. A patent is a special right that protects an invention. In 1873, the patent was granted, and half of it belonged to Levi Strauss & Co. This was the start of mass-producing the famous riveted blue jeans.
Later Life and Legacy
Levi Strauss never married. He passed away on September 26, 1902, in San Francisco. He left behind a large amount of money, which was about $30 million at the time.
His company, Levi Strauss & Co., is still owned by his family today. His nephew's grandchild, Elise Fanny Stern, married Walter A. Haas, whose family now owns the company.
Levi Strauss was a kind and generous person. He helped start Congregation Emanu-El, which was the first Jewish synagogue in San Francisco. He also gave money to many charities, especially to help orphans.
In 1897, he made a big donation to the University of California, Berkeley. This money created 28 scholarships to help students pay for college.
Today, you can visit the Levi Strauss museum in the house where he was born in Buttenheim, Germany. There is also a visitors center at the Levi Strauss & Co. headquarters in San Francisco. It has exhibits about the company's history.
In 1994, Levi Strauss was honored by being added to the Hall of Great Westerners. This is part of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
See also
In Spanish: Levi Strauss para niños
