Levi Strauss & Co. was founded in San Francisco in 1853.
German-born immigrant Levi Strauss arrived in San Francisco during the California Gold Rush and established a dry-goods business. The company initially sold clothing, fabric, blankets, and other supplies to retailers and miners rather than operating solely as a jeans maker.
The business later became closely associated with riveted denim workwear after Strauss partnered with tailor Jacob Davis. Their 1873 patent for reinforcing pocket corners helped create the product now recognized as blue jeans. This means the company predates the famous riveted-jeans patent by two decades.
A common mix-up is confusing the company’s founding date with the introduction of the 501 name. The company began in 1853, while the distinctive 501 designation appeared later in the nineteenth century.