Strauss went into business with his two brothers and built Levi Strauss and Co. into a major American company that exists to this day.

The company traces its origin to Levi Strauss (1829-1902), a Bavarian immigrant who arrived in San Francisco in 1850 during the Gold Rush, bringing dry goods for sale to miners.

The durable denim pants were brought to market by Levi Strauss, a Jewish merchant living in San Francisco, to meet the needs of uncouth miners in California's gold fields.