👖 Levi’s 501’s: The World’s 1st Jeans

This episode is available early and ad-free for Wondery+ members. To stay up-to-date on new podcasts and more from Wondery, sign up on http://wondery.fm/applepodcasts What do Old West gold miners, biker gangs and Marilyn Monroe all have in common? The same pair of jeans…Invented by a down-on-his-luck immigrant tailor in the 1870s, this classic riveted pant launched a global denim market worth over $70B. How? By teaming up with Levi Strauss & Co., a Gold Rush-era startup that became the most popular clothing brand in America. (Fact: Levi’s won a popularity contest over Nike, Adidas, and Old Navy.) — And it all began with the 501s. Find out how the original “straight fit” jeans used the “cupholder effect” to drive demand, how a storytelling hack transformed an everyday product into a symbol of freedom…and why Levi’s 501s are the best idea yet.