Norma, a Levi's customer shrink fitting her jeans, San Francisco, CA AIR TIMES: • November 06, 2007 4:30 AM EST

Then, find out about the geometry of measuring for a custom-fit bicycle with Independent Fabrication, the highly revered custom builders at the forefront of cycling technology.

Levi's Jeans Facts:

• By the 1920s Levi's "waist overalls" (jeans) were the leading product in men's work pants in the western United States.

• In 1960, Levi's officially changed the name of their most popular product from 'overalls' to 'jeans,' as their customer base shifted from working adults to leisure-loving teenage boys.

• Jean (the fabric) was a fusion of cotton, linen and/or wool. Its name originated in Genoa, Italy, where it was created.

• After its 20-year patent became public domain, Levi's blue jeans were the most imitated item of clothing in the world.

Contact Information:

Levi Strauss & Co.
Corporate information: www.levistrauss.com
Clothing information: www.levis.com

Resource:

This Is a Pair of Levi's Jeans: The Official History of the Levi's Brand
by Lynn Downey, Jill Novack Lynch, Kathleen McDonough

Bicycles Facts:

• The bicycle has been around since 1818.

• The Tour de France—the world's greatest bicycle race—originated in 1903 as the result of a feud between two French sports newspapers, L'Auto and Le Velo.

• In the 1880s the "safety bike" was invented. This remained the model for the modern bike—it had a chain, sprocket driving rear wheel, and equal-sized wheels.

• The modern American bicycle uses either the internally geared multi-speed hub or the derailleur gear system.

Contact Information:

Independent Fabrication
www.Ifbikes.com

Resources:

Tour De France/Tour De Force : A Visual History of the World's Greatest Bicycle Race
by James Startt, Greg LeMond (Introduction), Samuel Abt (Preface)

Schwinn (Pacific Cycling Co.)
1-800-SCHWINN
www.schwinn.com

Bicycle Museum
7 West Monroe St. (St Rt 274)
New Bremen, Ohio 45869
www.bicyclemuseum.com