The inventor of blue jeans was named Levi Strauss. Strauss was born in Buttenheim, Germany, on February 26, 1829. He immigrated to New York City with his family at the age eighteen. He got a job as a dry goods salesman and moved to Kentucky a year later to start his career. When gold was found in California, Strauss rushed to San Francisco. He did not go for the same reasons as other men. Other men went to get rich by finding gold, but Strauss went to get rich by selling his dry goods to the hard working gold miners. As his business grew, he sold more than just dry goods. He also sold clothes, shoes, and imported goods. His most popular product was the denim pants called “waist-high overalls,” now known as “blue jeans.” He hired seamstresses to sew them. The pockets had a metal pin in them so they would not tear. The brown leather label that is today located on the back of the jeans was added in 1886. Strauss gave money to charities and educational foundations. He died at age seventy-three.