[Lee Stewart]

By far the world’s favorite denim brand, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis made the first pair of blue jeans in 1873. At the time, Strauss ran a wholesale dry goods store where Davis had bought cloth to make strong pants using rivets. The pants were a hit, Davis needed a business partner and found one in Strauss. The American apparel company now has 2,300 stores worldwide and revenues of $4.9 billion.