We meet the books that we read in the lessons, our favorite characters. We meet the books we read in class, our favorite characters New technologies and the special purpose of a small pocket in Levi's jeans

The history of jeans began in 1973, when Levi Strauss separated the top from work overalls and received a patent for his invention. Since all other details of the resulting pants remained unchanged, it can be assumed that the builders had a small pocket before this modernization. Therefore, the main version of why jeans have this detail is that the workers put nails, screws, nuts and other small building materials into it.

Denim's rise in popularity coincided with the gold rush in North America. Therefore, prospectors often put washed nuggets into it. And adventurers who especially believed in luck hid talismans there.

coins

The name of a small pocket on jeans sounds coin pocket, "pocket for coins." And indeed, at the time when jeans were invented, paper banknotes were little used, coins were used, because the price level was not the same as now - for 25 cents you could eat in a tavern. Therefore, the version that a pocket was specially sewn onto denim trousers, in which it is convenient to hold coins, is quite justified.

If you remember that jeans were worn by working people, it becomes clear that they did not need wallets and purses, and a trifle from a small dense pocket does not get enough sleep.

Clock

The smallest detail of jeans is also a swatch pocket. Therefore, it is easy to come to the conclusion that a watch was previously kept in this pocket. We must pay tribute to this version, because in the 19th century they were mainly worn on a chain, wrist bracelets were not used. And if you remember that jeans were often used as overalls at construction sites or land works, it becomes clear that a person could simply not have other pockets - they could not be sewn onto a robe or T-shirt. On the other hand, pocket watches are uncomfortable to wear in this place, because while sitting they can put pressure on the thigh, causing discomfort.

little things

It is clear that the pocket on jeans was invented to put various little things in it, which sometimes need to be quickly obtained. It fits snugly enough to the body, so in order to extract something, it needs to be slightly expanded, but the little thing will definitely not be lost. There are versions that it has a certain size so that a condom, a guitar pick, a lighter fit into it.

It is believed that in the days of cowboys, the size of the pocket corresponded to the Zippo lighter, since it was the steppe guys who loved it. Now it is customized for Criket, because lighters of this format are the most popular in the world.

Most likely, the use of the pocket has already been found as needed. For example, in certain circles, this detail of jeans is called funny pocket or drugs pocket and illegal drugs are hidden there.

Jeans are a very conservative piece of clothing. Above the right front pocket, for example, they must have another small pocket. And without it, jeans are no longer jeans at all. True, about why they once began to do it, they still argue. It is clear that this is not about aesthetics. After all, jeans were originally intended not for fashionistas, but for working people. That is, the pocket had to have some kind of application function.

AiF.ru gives the most common versions of why a small pocket was sewn onto jeans, and how it acquired its modern form.

Chain watch protector

In the 19th century, one of the hallmarks of the prosperity of the American worker was a watch on a chain. They were quite expensive for a simple hard worker, so he treated them incredibly reverently. So that they would not be scratched in the pocket by keys or coins, they were put in that very separate small pocket. In support of this version, one can cite the fact that in the catalogs of the legendary American jeans manufacturer Levi’s this very pocket is called the “watch pocket” (translated from English - “watch pocket”).

Child of the gold rush

In the middle of the 19th century, a gold rush began in the United States, and people from all states, wanting to get rich, rushed to California. Gold was washed in streams, and grains of the precious metal weighed only a few grams. In order not to lose the prey, the miners carefully put it in a small jeans pocket, which they originally sewed on themselves. Realizing that they could earn money in this way, denim manufacturers hurried to change the design of their products by attaching an additional mini-pocket to them.

Wild Bill's Little Helper

The development of the Wild West laid the foundations for the attitude of Americans to firearms, which to this day is considered one of the symbols of national identity. So far, no American president has succeeded in banning it, although there have been plenty of such attempts. The small pocket of jeans was used in the 19th century to store primers: miniature metal cylinders used to ignite the powder charge in firearms. Cowboys, by the way, also seriously influenced denim. Metal studs on the back pockets of jeans were no longer made due to the fact that they spoiled the fit of the saddle.

antidepressant lighter

The small pocket received its standardized size only in the 30s of the twentieth century. The United States was then going through the Great Depression. Despite the fact that many farmers and workers were below the poverty line, the American entrepreneur George Grant Blaisdell launched a very bold campaign for that time, whose slogan read: “Lighter! This is what a person constantly needs, whatever his financial situation! He advertised in this way the Zippo gasoline lighter, which soon became very popular indeed. They wore it then for show: in a small pocket of jeans. But there was one problem. In some jeans, the lighter was immediately buried in the mini-pocket, and no one could see it. And it did not fit into the pockets of other jeans at all. In this regard, denim manufacturers decided to correct the size of the small pocket and make it the way we know it today.

Surely we are all familiar with the classic look of jeans: straight legs and five pockets: one on each side in front and behind, and another small pocket protruding above the right front pocket. But not everyone knows what this small pocket on jeans is for.

Why a small pocket on jeans?

For the first time, the fifth pocket on jeans appeared in the Levi's 501 XX model almost 150 years ago, in 1873. By the way, then it was not the fifth, but the fourth pocket, since in the classic jeans of that time there was only one pocket at the back, the second appeared later.

There are three main versions of why Levi's designers added this tiny front pocket. The most likely of them is that it was intended for wearing pocket watches on a chain, which at that time were much more common than they are now. On the model of jeans of those times, this small pocket was somewhat larger than we are used to seeing it now, and the watch would fit in it quite well.

The second version of the appearance of this pocket is as follows: since jeans were then purely working clothes, it was stitched onto jeans for the convenience of workers. They could store various small things in it that are easy to lose. So, gold diggers could put small nuggets there, and carpenters, for example, carnations.

Finally, the version that the pocket was designed to carry a Zippo lighter, which at that time was used by most cowboys, whose main clothing was jeans, is also popular. This version even explains the decrease in the size of the pocket over time. So, the popular Zippo lighters after some time were supplanted by Cricket lighters, which fit perfectly in a pocket of a modern size.

Why do you need a small pocket on jeans now?

Over time, the classic form of jeans with five pockets has settled down, and more and more explanations have appeared among the people of what the smallest of them should be used for. So, at one time it was believed that it was adapted for storing small coins, which were then necessary for using payphones. Later, a version appeared that this was a pocket for a condom, since its packaging easily fit there. Also, many carried a penknife in this pocket. Now this pocket is more of a tribute to the classic cut of old jeans than a truly functional device, but many people continue to store various necessary little things in it: paper clips, packs of chewing gum, coins, a small amount of cash paper money.

A small pocket on jeans has always interested inquisitive people. It has even become the subject of much controversy, because it is not easy to get something out of it, but at the same time it is difficult to lose it. Let's try to figure it out.

background

Jeans were originally used as work clothes for gold miners and, of course, an attribute of cowboys. Pockets on cowboy jeans are an indispensable condition for their combat uniforms, because they could hide a folding army or percussion cap (detonator, piston for a powder charge in a firearm). Invented this type of clothing from Levi Strauss in 1853 and called it "topless overalls". It seems that all five pockets of the overalls went to the trousers. This was the period of the "gold rush", when it was convenient for seekers of the precious metal to store small nuggets in a tiny fifth pocket. The first small pocket appeared on Levi's jeans in 1873. It was a Levi's 501 XX. Such a pocket in the company's catalog is listed as a watch pocket, and its creator is the American designer Michael Regalo.

Versions

We have already named two versions. But there are other assumptions as well. The number of versions of why jeans have a small pocket is amazing.

1. Handymen kept nails or small coins in a small pocket.
2. According to one version, Michael Regalo, as a joke, invented a small pocket for those who, during a police raid, could hide ecstasy (an illegal drug) in it. Therefore, the nickname “drugs packet” was assigned to the pocket - a pharmaceutical package.
3. According to another version, the fifth pocket was sewn by Mark Lidin especially for his talisman - a small stone that brings him good luck.

If you continue to think about what a small pocket on jeans is for, you can find out that:

• An important accessory for cowboys has always been a lighter. The size of the small pocket was allegedly specially adjusted to fit a Zippo lighter. Nowadays, the pocket takes on the dimensions of a Cricket accessory that has earned a good reputation.
• Such an element of clothing was used for watches, which were previously worn on a chain attached to the belt.
• They kept contraceptives, the packaging of which corresponded to the size of the pocket, as well as romantic messages or engagement rings.

Creative

You can continue to investigate the fact why you need a small pocket on jeans for a long time. But it is still interesting to see how in our time they manage to squeeze a mobile phone or catch sunglasses into this small pocket.

And now attention, surprise! Levi's - the most famous brand in America and the world - focusing on innovative technologies and creativity, has developed a new stylish model of Levi's Redwire DLX jeans, which contains built-in retractable headphones, joystick, contact terminals under white leather on a small pocket. The four-position joystick allows you to adjust the volume of the player without taking it out of your pocket. The user also has the ability to control the image on the screen of his iPod thanks to jeans. Jeans can be safely washed, because all devices come unfastened along with the pocket.

Now you know what a small pocket on jeans is for, but do not rush to conclusions. Surely he will find some other application that can surprise with its novelty. And the small pocket will again become the subject of great controversy.

Despite the variety of jeans models, men's jeans often remain the same number of pockets. According to tradition, there are five of them.

4 regular pockets have a practical purpose: they store small items, money, keys, etc.

The fifth pocket differs from the rest in its size, it is smaller than the others. This pocket often causes bewilderment of the owners of jeans. Let's try to figure out why a small pocket is sewn onto jeans, in which you can’t put a lot.

Fashion history knows exactly when an unusual pocket appeared on jeans. The age of this detail is approaching one and a half centuries.

Reference! For the first time, buyers saw it on pants in 1873. Introduced a new tradition by Levi's.

Back in 1873, the company released a new model of its jeans - 501 XX, which differed from others in the presence of a fifth pocket.

The author of this element is the American designer M. Regalo. He came up with a compartment, which, according to one version, was intended specifically for storing watches. That's how it was designated in the catalogs: "watch pocket".

However, initially the owners of jeans used it not only for watches. The "gold rush" that reigned in America at that time prompted another appointment. The small, tight compartment was handy for storing washed gold nuggets separately, and was used by many cowboys for this.

Classic options for using a small pocket on jeans

Gradually, the additional compartment began to be used for other purposes.

Clock

For a long time, it was still used for watches that were not wrist watches in those days. The chain from the watch was fixed on the belt, and the case lay inside the recess.

coins

The pocket turned out to be very convenient for storing small coins. They did not have to look for a long time among other things.

small items

This detail was also appreciated by artisans who used strong and durable trousers as work clothes. Small parts (small nails, nuts, bolts, washers, etc.) were not lost and were always at hand.

Lighters

Smokers have found another purpose for a small decorative detail. It was perfect for a Zippo lighter.

romantic attributes

The lovers used the tiny compartment in their own way. At the right moment, either folded notes of romantic content, or rings denoting the seriousness of intentions, or contraceptives were removed from there.

Medical preparations

There is another version associated with the designer M. Regalo. In accordance with it, it is believed that the author of the idea created a part for storing medicines, and possibly concealing illegal drugs.

Reference! The fifth pocket in those days was called not only “watch pocket”, but also a medicine pocket - “drugs packet”.

Personal talismans

The constant wearing of small amulets or talismans, which promised good luck and luck in business, was considered important. Hidden in a pocket, they were invisible to prying eyes, but inspired their owner with confidence.

Modern use of the small pocket

The changes that take place in life have complemented the purpose of the fifth pocket and led to new options for its use.

Appearance cell phones forced to look for a suitable place for them. A small denim pocket solved this problem.

It was also convenient with his help to deal with the removed sunglasses. They were not inserted, but fixed with a bow on the fabric, leaving glasses over the trousers.

Many jeans wearers develop individual habits. Some people know that in their pocket they always carry a small knife, others make it a place for chewing gum, others adapted for storage purchased in transport ticket.

New technologies and the special purpose of the small pocket in Levi's jeans

Levi's, the first to add a fifth pocket to its models, is still ahead today. Professionals managed to combine classics and modernity.

And now the mini-department has received serious practical application. Buyers have noticed that the new Red Wire DLX jeans model has a new look for the familiar attribute of jeans. It has a white leather lining.

But the main difference between the model is in the contents of the department. The owner of these trousers along with clothes receives built-in headphones, a joystick, special terminals. Thanks to this, the manufacturer combined the clothes with the iPOD, and the buyer received maximum convenience in working with it, because you can control the device with a joystick even when the iPOD remains in your pocket.

Important! All devices that the Red Wire DLX model is equipped with are detachable, which makes it convenient to care for the product.

So a small pocket, which arose as a decorative detail, became a practical and convenient addition to jeans.