Levis may well have been the pants that won the West, but it wasn’t the pants themselves that put Levi Strauss & Company on the map, it was the rivets that held them together under the strain of hard labor. And the rivets weren’t Strauss’ invention – that came from Jacob Davis, a tailor from Reno, Nevada, who had a great idea but not $69 for a patent. So he partnered with Strauss, and the rest is history.
Listen to this episode of This Week in Business History with Kelly Barner to trace blue jean innovations as they cross paths with the gold rush, the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake, World War I, and the Gilded Age.
More Podcast Episodes
peak season
Podcast
October 27, 2025
Breaking News Now: Scott Luton Chats with Max Garland
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes back Supply Chain Dive senior reporter Max Garland for a fast-paced look at the biggest logistics stories shaping Q4 2025. Max breaks down the latest peak season surcharges, noting how FedEx, UPS, and Amazon are raising fees while newer players like U-Speed and GoBolt are winning business with “no-fee” strategies. He also shares how shippers can protect margins through early planning and carrier diversification. The conversation continues with updates on Amazon Shipping’s growing market share, UPS’s first-ever driver buyouts, and the widespread impact of the de minimis rule’s repeal, which has cost brands like Lululemon hundreds of millions. They wrap with coverage of the Canada Post strike, exploring what it means for holiday deliveries and why U.S. shippers should take note. Insightful, data-driven, and timely, this episode offers practical takeaways for supply chain professionals heading into peak season. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Connect with Max Garland Learn more about our hosts Want more Supply Chain Now? We know you can’t…
global supply chain
Podcast
June 7, 2024
The Buzz for June 7th with Scott W. Luton and Tandreia Bellamy
The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience! In this week’s episode of The Buzz, hosts Scott Luton and Tandreia Bellamy discuss: The ongoing labor negotiations at the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports in the US How to prep your supply chains for a successful peak season The growing trend of smart warehousing and the utilization of AI And so much more!