RON HENGGELER

February 28, 2008
Denim

Denim
Like many merchants during the Gold Rush, Levi Strauss journeyed to San Francisco to sell goods to the prospectors. An immigrant from Germany, he brought a load of canvas to turn into tents. Strauss had no success selling the tents, but constantly heard miners complain that their pants didn’t hold up to the rigors of the gold mines. He turned the canvas into pants instead, and the garments were an instant hit. He eventually switched from canvas to a tough blue cotton fabric loomed in Nimes, France, called serge de Nimes, which quickly became the word “denim” and gave the trousers their trademark color. The name “jeans” came from the French word Genes (meaning “Genoa”), as the trousers were reminiscent of those once worn by Genoan sailors. The copper rivets, originally designed for saddles, were added to reinforce the pants in the 1870’s and emblazoned with the initials SF for San Francisco. Levi jeans became part of the popular culture during the 1950’s, and business more than doubled in the 1960s. The company is still in San Francisco and is operated by descendants of Levi Strauss. Respectfully taken from SAN FRANCISCO SECRETS by John Snyder 1999 Chronicle Books

San Francisco is 49 square miles surrounded by reality. Paul Kantner of the rock band Jefferson Airplane

Marin Headlands

sunrise from my window

sunrise from my window

Marin Headlands view of the Golden Gate Bridge

Nob Hill

Oculus

Santa Rosa

 

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