The denim pants that began as a working garment in the 1849 San Francisco Gold Rush and evolved in the 1980s to a designer status item were invented by peddler Levi Strauss (1829-1902). Strauss was only seventeen years old when he left his native Bavaria, Germany, speaking little English. He became a peddler of housewares in and around New York, New York, but found much competition. Strauss heard of the boom in San Francisco and in 1850 boarded a clipper ship with his wares.

By the time he reached his destination, he had sold everything except a great amount of brown canvas, which he assumed miners would buy to make tents and wagon covers. Strauss soon discovered that his customers desired comfortable but rugged pants that could survive the rigors of mining. Strauss contracted with a local tailor to make his "waist high overalls." He soon began making...