look news india
We all wear jeans in our everyday life and almost every blue jeans has a small pocket built inside the right pocket. Nowadays people keep small things like coins, keys, pendrive or wireless earbuds in it. But have you ever wondered what this little pocket was created for when jeans were first designed? If you think it is made for keeping coins, then you are wrong. In fact, the history of this small pocket goes back to the late 19th century and it was designed to keep a pocket watch safe while working.
Why did Levi Strauss create this special pocket in 1873?
This small pocket originated in the year 1873, when Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis jointly patented the world’s first strong denim work pant. What was then called “vest overall” was designed for miners, cowboys, carpenters and railway workers.
In the 19th century, people used pocket watches with chains, not wrist watches. If this watch was kept in a normal pant pocket while working in mines and construction sites, there was a fear of its glass breaking or getting scratched due to collision with tools, nails and stones. To solve this problem, Levi’s created a small and tight pocket inside the front right pocket, so that the watch remains stable in one place, does not fall out and remains safe while working. The workers could easily take out the watch by pulling the chain and see the time.
Impact of World War II and steel shortage
By the middle of the 20th century, times changed and people started wearing wrist watches instead of pocket watches. With this, the real purpose of this small pocket was lost, but it remained a part of the classic design of jeans. During World War II, when there was a severe steel shortage in the United States, Levi’s temporarily removed the rivets on this small pocket in order to save metal for the military. They were reunited after the war ended.
Even after 150 years, the identity of jeans remains intact.
Although today the era of pocket watch has passed and people keep small things in this pocket, still the brands making jeans have not changed this 150 years old original design. The pocket which was once created to protect the watches of mine workers, has today become an iconic symbol of modern jeans and fashion.