Laborers such as miners and railroad workers needed pants that could withstand constant movement, heavy tools, and long hours of wear. Unfortunately, early denim trousers often tore at stress points, especially around pockets and seams. A tailor named Jacob Davis faced this problem repeatedly while repairing worn-out work pants.Instead of relying solely on stitching, he experimented with reinforcing weak areas using small metal fasteners. By placing rivets where fabric experienced the most strain, he significantly reduced tearing and extended the life of the garments.
