New Canaan Library is pleased to host a talk on the history of Levi Strauss & Co. and the iconic blue jean, presented by Tracy Panek, historian and archivist for Levi Strauss & Co. The live webinar takes place on Tuesday, March 8 at 7 PM EST; Zoom information provided upon registration at newcanaanlibrary.org.

In 1873, in the waning years of the California Gold Rush, Levi Strauss, a Jewish dry goods merchant in San Francisco, along with tailor Jacob Davis, obtained a U.S. patent for the process of putting metal rivets in men’s denim work pants to increase their durability. Thus was born the blue jean. Tracey Panek, archivist for Levi Strauss & Co., will showcase and examine the life of Levi Strauss, the invention of the blue jean, and their iconic place in the history of American style.
Tracy Panek is the Historian for Levi Strauss & Co. as well as the media spokesperson for the company. Ms. Panek manages the day-to-day workings of Levi Strauss & Co. archives and is a regular contributor to Unzipped, the company’s blog.