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The 19th century

Industry, invention and voices for change.

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A tailor's hands hold a riveted brown work-trouser pocket beside copper fasteners, scissors and a leather strap.Fashion & design

Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss’s riveted-trouser patent

A patent granted on May 20, 1873, protected a practical way of strengthening pocket openings with metal fasteners. The innovation helped turn work trousers into a lasting clothing design.

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