History of denim

A new documentary, “Riveted: The History of Jeans” (out Monday, Feb. 7, on PBS), unfolds the untold story of America’s most iconic and ubiquitous garment.

Jeans were invented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis in the year 1873. They were created out of the necessity to have garments which don't get torn easily. Read here the history of jeans in detail.

The real thing: actual jeans from the 1840s, but they are not Levi's!

From "The Outsiders" to "Taxi Driver", learn about the evolution of denim on screen as we track jeans in the movies through the last century.

Handbill Overalls Spring Bottom Pants ad, 1899 Levis, "Men's Overalls, Bloomers, Open and Closed Front Jumpers"

Lee Rider Jean Jacket Ad.

Marlon Brando and James Dean made denim defiant and sexy in the 1950s. But it was Marilyn Monroe who embodied the sexy and rebellious look first. It was in Fritz Lang’s Clash by Night, in 1952.