Almost every person in the world has owned a pair of jeans at one time in their life. But have you ever looked down at those copper riveted bad boys and thought “Who came up with this idea?” Why rivets? Well you’re about to find out!
These denim rivet creations hold a spot in my hear because they were invented in my hometown, Reno Nevada.
So let’s get to it!
During the mining booms back in the mid 1800’s, many people were moving to the west coast to mine for gold. Shortly after the gold rush, a large deposit of silver was discovered in Virginia City, Nevada. 
Mining is grueling work that requires the correct tools and attire to get the job done. It has been said that the people selling the tools and clothing to the miners were the real successful businessmen.
In January 1871, a wife of a worker visited Jacob Davis, a local tailor located in Reno, Nevada. She requested that his pants be made stronger so the pockets don’t tear so easily. Davis decided to add copper rivets from the horse blankets he made in his shop, and boom! Jeans were invented. 
Realizing what a good idea he had, he needed to patent the idea, but didn’t have the money – a whopping $68 (worth $1200 today). So he contacted his supplier in San Francisco, Mr. Levi Strauss. 
in 1873 they received the US Patent No. 139121 for Levi’s.
Before then, jeans were called waist overalls. The name “jeans” comes from the italian word “Genes” for the city of Genoa. Denim was named after Nimes, a city that first created the fabric. 
In Present time, more than 450 million pairs of jeans are sold today.
Now you know a bit more about the most popular pair of pants in the world.
I hope you enjoyed, and stay tuned for more fun stories!
Fact checked:
https://www.thefactshop.com/fashion-facts/denim-jeans-facts