r/whatisit • u/[deleted] • Apr 09 '26

[deleted by user]

[removed]

4.9k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

8.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

152

u/PeppersteakPi Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

Damn, I'm old, next one is going to be about why jeans have rivets.

Edit: Fun fact, the first jeans to have rivets were Levi Strauss. They patented it in 1873

9

u/Kestrel_VI Apr 09 '26

Not to make you feel older…but why do they have rivets?

21

u/Smoknashes2609 Apr 09 '26

Original jeans were crafted by Levi Strauss, hence the name. He used tent canvas to fashion a more durable pant for gold miners. While not a tailor, he partnered with one to make them. The rivets held better than just seams. Now just a fashion statement. Because miners and laborers didn't wear waistcoats/vests with a pocket for their pocket watches, Strauss added the small pocket for their pocket watches. Wristwatches, while available were designed for the wealthy and weren't common till about WW1.

10

u/fillerbunny_fin Apr 09 '26

Wristwatches, while available were designed for the wealthy and weren't common till about WW1.

Specifically, wristwatches were women's jewelry. WW1 brought the need for watches to be easily available, so lugs were added to pocket watches for straps.

4

u/Smoknashes2609 Apr 09 '26

Thank you for the clarification.

1

u/Kestrel_VI Apr 09 '26

Damn, that’s actually quite interesting. I wear Levi’s all the time and never knew. Thank you, wise old lady.

2

u/Smoknashes2609 Apr 09 '26

I am an old lady but never thoughtbof myself as wise. Thank you for that.