What those tiny rivets on your jeans are for

Ever notice those tiny copper buttons all over your jeans and wonder what they are for? Turns out, they might be more necessary than you think. Following is a transcript of the video.

If you’ve ever worn a pair of jeans you’ve probably wondered what these tiny buttons on the pockets are for. They’re rivets.

Jacob Davis — a Nevada tailor — sent a letter to Levi Strauss in 1872. Davis had been purchasing fabric from Levi Strauss & Co. And using it to create riveted clothing for miners in the Reno area. The rivets held the pockets to the clothing. As miners were using them to carry nuggets, tools, and other items that were too heavy for just a seam, as the seams would rip under too much weight.

Strauss & Davis set up a partnership and in 1873 received a patent for an “improvement in fastening pocket openings” and began manufacturing a new type of work clothing called “waist overalls.” Complete with copper rivets on the pockets. The rivets continue to hold pockets together to this day.