What is Scherenschnitte by Vickie McDonough

Courtesy of Wiki Commons

Scherenschnitte, pronounced SHARE-en-shnit-tah, is almost as difficult to articulate as it is to create. Scherenschnitte, the art of “scissor snipping” or “scissor cutting,” probably originated in China, although some sources say Switzerland. Early paper cuttings in China were made by wealthy nobles as a form of entertainment. The intricate craft traveled across Asia and Europe, and later, made its way to America in the eighteenth century as German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania. Scherenschnitte literally means "scissor cuts" in German. The term “Chinese shadow” was also used for early paper cuttings but was replaced by the term “silhouette” in France—a term it is still referred to today.

Courtesy of Wiki Commons

Early cutwork often consisted of religious themes. Monks and nuns painstakingly created religious hand-lettered texts with elaborate cut designs. Scherenschnitte focuses on life’s significant events like birth, schooling, courtship, marriage, family, and death. Farm life, flowers, trees, animals, birds, hearts, and other figures are also incorporated in the intricate designs. Profiles of people were a popular subject. Scherenschnitte resembles a stitched sampler, and fancy scrolls were often inscribed with verses, names, and locales.

Breman's Town Musicians

Courtesy of Wiki Commons

Experienced paper cutters generally worked freehand, without the aid of drawings or guides. For less practiced cutters, a design was planned before any cuts were made, making sure that all parts of the design connect to one another so that the entire paper stays together. Using sharp scissors, or sometimes sharp knives, they cut their motifs with exact precision, most often from a single piece of intricately folded paper. Cutting techniques varied with some designs created from cutting folded paper while others were cut from flat sheets. A finished piece of scherenschnitte is usually displayed against another piece of paper. The Swiss developed a method of layering cut paper, which gave it a 3-D effect.

Scherenschnitte is nearly a lost art, although some Dutch people are determined to keep it alive. You’ve probably made a scherenschnitte creation yourself without even knowing it. Remember when you were a child and you folded paper then cut away small pieces to make a snowflake? Viola! You made a scherenschnitte design. Next time you come across a paper cutting, maybe you’ll consider the rich history of the art. 

Gambler Gabe Coulter is confronted by a drunken cowboy who wants his money back. Gabe refuses and a gunfight ensues. The dying man tells Gabe the money was for his wife and son. Though the shooting was self-defense, Gabe wrestles with guilt. The only way he knows to get rid of it is to return the money he fairly won to the man’s widow. Lara Talbot sees Gabe as a derelict like her husband and refuses his help. But as she struggles to feed her family, she wonders if God might have sent him to help. 

Available on Amazon / Free KU

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. To learn more about Vickie’s books or to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com

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HHH January 2023 Book Day

 CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK THIS WINTER!

 

 

THE LADY’S MISSION

The Quilting Circle (Book 5)

A Sweet Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

Will Cordelia abandon her calling for love? Cordelia wants to escape the social norms for her society station. Unless she can maneuver her father into relinquishing her trust fund, she might have to concede defeat—as well as her freedom—and marry. Every time Lamar finds a fascinating lady, her heart belongs to another. When a vapid socialite is presented as a prospective bride, he contemplates flying off in his hot air balloon instead. Is Lamar the one to finally break the determination of Cordelia’s parents to marry her off? Or will this charming bachelor fly away with her heart?

 

 

BRIDE BY BLACKMAIL

By Debbie Lynne Costello

A broken heart, controlling father, and intrusive Scot leave Charlotte reeling. Accused of stealing an heirloom pin, she must choose between an unwanted marriage and the ruin of her family name. With her and her sister’s futures at stake, Charlotte must navigate through injustice to find forgiveness and true happiness. Eager to find the traitor who caused the death of his brother, Duncan comes to America attempting to fit into Charleston society. But when the headstrong Charlotte catches his eye, Duncan acquires a second mission—winning the lass's hand. After several spurnings, he uses unconventional ways of winning her heart.

 

 

THE CRYPTOGRAPHER’S DILEMMA

By Johnnie Alexander

A Cryptographer Uncovers a Japanese Spy Ring

FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent letter about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head oversees when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of coded defense coordinates related to dolls should be easy, but not so when the Japanese Consulate gets involved, hearts get entangled, and Phillip goes missing. Can Eloise risk loving and losing again?

 

 

DIAL V FOR VALENTINE

By Linda Shenton Matchett

Valentine’s Day is perfect for a wedding. If only the bride will agree. Celeste Hardwicke has just opened her law practice when she finally accepts Fergus Rafferty’s marriage proposal. Not to worry. She has plenty of time to set a date, then plan the wedding. Until she doesn’t. But a quickie wedding isn’t what she has in mind. Besides, why get married when the groom will ship out after the ceremony? When she stumbles on her great-grandmother’s diary from World War II, she discovers the two of them share the same predicament.

 

 

TITANIC: LEGACY OF BETRAYAL

A Time-Slip Novel

By Kathleen E. Kovach, et al.

A secret. A key. Much was buried on the Titanic, but now it's time for resurrection. Follow two intertwining stories a century apart. 1912 - Matriarch Olive Stanford protects a secret after boarding the Titanic that must go to her grave. 2012 - Portland real estate agent Ember Keaton-Jones receives the key that will unlock the mystery of her past... and her distrusting heart. Review: “I told my wife to move this book to the top of her reading list... This titanic story is more interesting than the one told in the Titanic movie... She will absolutely love it.”

 

 

HUNT FOR A HOMETOWN KILLER

By Mary Dodge Allen

2022 Christian Indie Award Winner, First Place – Mystery Suspense

2022 Angel Award Winner – Mystery Suspense

While Roxy Silva is working her hometown mail route, a sinkhole opens up and uncovers the car used in her husband’s murder. Determined to solve the cold hit and run case, Roxy turns amateur sleuth, using her amazing photographic memory. Her relationship with handsome detective Kyle grows close as they uncover shocking secrets. When the killer takes Roxy captive, she must use her wits to survive.

 

 

LILLY’S PROMISE

By Terrie Todd

From an Amazon Review: Todd’s engaging dual timeline novel “Lilly’s Promise” explores the connections between family past and present. I was as eager as Diana, the main character, to learn the story of her father’s mother Lilly as he revealed more and more of the story. The power of redemption and God’s love are woven throughout Lilly’s past and Diana’s present and future. “Lilly’s Promise” is perfect for readers who enjoy historical fiction that incorporates a Christian message. Also, the story provides the opportunity to learn more about Canada and Canadian holidays.

 

 

RACHAEL'S DECISION

By Molly Jebber

Rachael has suffered an injury and tragedy in her young life, but she's happy working with her friends in the Amish bakery. She's smitten with Caleb, but he wants children. She's barren. He says it doesn't matter. She's afraid he'll have regrets. Widower, Nathan, offers her a marriage of convenience, and she's close to his children. Other obstacles blindside her, and make her life-altering decisions difficult. What does the future hold for Rachael?

 

 

SARAH’S SURRENDER

By Vickie McDonough 

Sarah Worley rejects Luke McNeil’s marriage proposal to pursue property in the Oklahoma Territory land lottery in 1901, but the ranch hand follows her. The lottery could enable Sarah to finally have a home of her own, but with it comes challenges she never considered. When her dream becomes a nightmare, she must decide whether to stay on her land or give up and return to the life she left. Luke hopes to win a claim and give Sarah the home she’s always wanted. Can he prove his love and show the stubborn woman he’s the right man for her?

 

 

COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS

By Michelle Shocklee

1961. After a longtime resident at Nashville’s Maxwell House Hotel suffers a stroke, Audrey is tasked with cleaning out the reclusive woman’s room. She discovers an elaborate scrapbook filled with memorabilia from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Love notes on the backs of unmailed postcards inside capture Audrey’s imagination with hints of a forbidden romance . . . and troubling revelations about the disappearance of young women at the exposition. Audrey enlists the help of a handsome hotel guest as she tracks down clues and information about the mysterious “Peaches” and her regrets over one fateful day, nearly sixty-five years earlier.

 

 

BETHEL

Runaway Brides of The West

By Kimberly Grist

A semi-retired bootlegger and a beleaguered sheriff- because no good story ever started with cookies and milk. She’s shaking off the dust of her well-worn boots, not looking back and hoping for a transformation. Daughter of a traveling merchant, Bethel is tired of peddling her Daddy’s “Special Sauce” and being run out of town by every sheriff east of the Mississippi. So it’s time to head west. She just needs to sell a few more bottles to help fund her trip. If only she could shake off that irritating detective waiting at the stage stop.

 

 

MONTANA GOLD

By Janalyn Voigt

Hills of Nevermore (book 1) - Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on protecting her?
Cheyenne Sunrise (book 2) – After her wagon journey goes terribly wrong, a woman disillusioned in men must rely on a half-Cheyenne trail guide.
Stagecoach to Liberty (book 3) – A young Hessian girl must decide to trust a handsome Irish stranger or remain with her alarming companions.
The Forever Sky (book 4) - Can a young widow with no faith in love hope for a future with the man who broke her heart?
The Promise Tree (book 5) - A preacher’s daughter shouldn’t encourage a troublemaker’s advances—no matter what her wayward heart desires.

 

 

WILTED DANDELIONS

By Catherine Ulrich Brakefield

Spinster Rachael Rothburn is eager to leave her life of luxury in Boston to share the gospel with Native Americans in the west. The only problem is the missionary alliance won’t let her go unless she’s married. When Dr. Jonathan Wheaton learns about the restrictions, he offers Rachael a marriage of convenience. The pair sets off for Oregon to share Jesus with the natives, but in the process, they discover God doesn’t create coincidences—He designs possibilities. “…one gripping, compelling read. Wilted Dandelions… had me eagerly turning pages and sighing over the love story premise as well as taking comfort in the spiritual message…” ES

Bobby Pins, Plumbing, and Other Challenges of Writing about the 1920s

The 1920s can be a real puzzlement for writers. In some ways, there were so many modern changes taking hold that it was hard to keep up with for people who lived through them, and in other ways, for many, life hadn't changed much from the 1800s. Region had a lot to do with this. City and rural living made a difference. In the 1920s, many people still hadn't even enjoyed the modern conveniences that some of the rich did during the gilded age 20, 30, or 40 years previously. In other ways, the new era ushered in changes with the speed of a telephone call.

Take plumbing for instance. Very wealthy people and even some hotels enjoyed some manner of indoor plumbing in the late 1800s, but by 1920, only one percent of American households enjoyed such. One percent! That means that even in cities during the roaring twenties, people were still hand-pumping their water and taking late-night treks to the outhouse or sliding a bedpan out from beneath their bed. They may have used a water closet or had a bathroom, but all the after-effects had to be carried away.

Some homes may have had a system for dispensing, but we've all seen or heard of people in large cities pouring their "slops" out the window into the gutters below, and woe to anyone who happened to be passing nearby!

When I'm writing about that period, I always have to pause and ask, "Would this family have been part of that one percent or not? What kind of system did their town have?" It's easier to answer if they lived rurally. Then, as I've mentioned in previous posts, I have to ask about electricity. Some had it in 1920, but most did not. They still used gas lighting or oil lamps.

Image by munik manalo from Pixabay

Now let me direct your attention to a odd detail that also effected the period. I'm currently finishing a book set in 1920 about a young woman named Polly who has very fine hair. She has trouble keeping her hair pins in place. Of course, I first imagined slipping bobby pins, because that's what I'm familiar with. But did you know that bobby pins weren't invented yet?

Bobby pins as we know and refer to them were invented during the twenties. Their creator was Luis Marcus, a San Francisco cosmetics manufacturer. After WWI, as women began bobbing their hair and the flapper era swept in, he started hand-making the pins and selling them in sets of two for thirty-five cents. He considered calling them "Marcus pins", but chose instead to name them after the new, bobbed hairstyles, deciding on the simple "bobby pins" we know today. Interestingly, Marcus never got rich on the invention, and didn't even care to talk much about them, even though they changed a part of women's worlds.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Hair pins were the ancestors to bobby pins. Either long and straight or U-shaped, hair pins could be jabbed into the hair to hold styles in place or to keep a hat where it belonged. Barrettes, on the other hand, have been worn for centuries.

Image by Briam Cute from Pixabay

Frankly, I'd never given a lot of thought to bobby pins until my current heroine started having trouble keeping her thin hair in place. Suddenly I found myself wondering, gee, did they even have bobby pins then? Just another conundrum about the little details we face when we write historical stories.

I'll be excited to introduce my post-WWI heroine to you with the thin and newly bobbed hair. Her story will release next January (2024) in a novel titled Polly. She is the first in the Apron Strings series of heroines connected together over the decades by a single recipe book.

In the meantime, I hope you'll add my other 1920s series, Echoes of the Heart, to your book list beginning with The Deepest Sigh. Below are the opening lines. 

God bless, and happy reading!

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Telephone Switchboards Through History – By Donna Schlachter with Giveaway

Switchboard Operators 1915 -- History Channel

Following the invention and then widespread use of telephones, one thing became quickly apparent—folks wanted to talk to more than one person on their newfangled invention. At the beginning, the telephone was much like the tin can-and-string contraption—two units connected by a single wire. You could call the person at the end of your wire, or they could call you.

In just about a year, The Holmes Burglar Alarm Company in Boston, Massachusetts, came up with the first central office and switchboard, serving as both a security office at night for banks and other businesses, as well as a telephone system.

The switchboard consisted of a desk-like piece of furniture where an operator set, plugging and unplugging calls and callers through a series of connections. At first, young men were hired, the thought being that since they worked well as telegraph operators. However, easily bored and sometimes with coarse language, they tended to get into trouble during slow times, sometimes ending up wrestling or causing a disturbance, other times wandering away from their station completely, leaving calls unanswered and unconnected. Thus, on September 1st, 1878, the Boston Telephone Dispatch hired Emma Nutt as the first woman operator.

Early switchboards in larger cities often spanned floor to ceiling to allow operators to reach all the lines in the exchanges. However, by the 1890s, divided switchboards were developed so teams served customers, working only the plugs in their section. Customers often knew their operator’s name, depending on what time they placed a call. At first, callers could ask for their party by name, but as populations with telephones increased, eventually the system assigned a unique number for each customer, which became known as their telephone number.

Eventually, callers would figure out they could call long distance, and so long-distance operators were employed to take the information of who was being called, would then make that call, then call back to connect the parties.

If you want to know more about how a switchboard actually operates, check out the article listed below from Wikipedia entitled “Telephone Switchboard”.

Switchboard operators were trained not only in the physical connection of calls, but also in switchboard etiquette. For example, there were rigid rules of dress. In the early days of the telephone, many parents were reluctant to give permission for their daughters to work at a telephone exchange, so the highest values of decorum, dress, and language were insisted upon. In particular, an operator could not be married, must be of high moral character, and no matter what the customer said, could only reply, “Thank you.” Long black dresses were the uniform, sometimes with a white blouse, and no jewelry visible. My character Juliette gets around this by wearing the string of pearls her late husband gave her on their wedding day underneath her shirtwaist, out of sight.

One note worth mentioning is that during the First World War, more than 200 female telephone operators facilitated communication between American, British, and French troops on the Western front, serving as operators and often also as translators. President Woodrow Wilson was so impressed that he changed his mind and dropped his objection to women’s suffrage in 1918, citing that partnering with women in war seemed to lead automatically to including them in voting rights.

With the coming of technology, however, telephone operators positions have decreased. By 1930, 235,000 operators worked in the US;, by 1940, less than 200,000. In 2021, only 5,000 workers were classified as telephone operators, with the number decreasing each year.



Giveaway: answer the following question to be entered into a random drawing for Juliette, Book 6 of the Switchboard Sisterhood. Please cleverly disguise your email address so the ‘bots don’t get you!



What is your funniest memory of using a telephone operator?



About Juliette:

A widow with her future planned out—and it doesn’t include marrying again. A physically scarred man resigned to remaining single. Can God work through a missing cat to bring them together?



Releases January 31st, but ebook is available for preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ66NX1Q

And you can check out the rest of the Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNPJF8SJ



 

About Donna:

A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of
several writers groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter.

www.DonnaSchlachter.com Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive 2 free ebooks simply for signing up for our free newsletter!




Resources:

https://www.history.com/news/rise-fall-telephone-switchboard-operators

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_switchboard

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/telephone-development/

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/telephone/

Religious Life in Ancient Israel's Divided Kingdom

When I first began researching the prophet Elijah for my novels Rain and Whirlwind, I was continually confused about the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, north and south, not to mention the many kings from each with similar names. Today I'll broadly touch on the reasons for and results of the split. We'll leave the kings' names for another time.

POLITICS AND RELIGION

After King Solomon's death in 931 B.C.E, ten northern tribes rebelled against heavy taxes imposed by Solomon's son, Rehoboam, and formed a separate kingdom, which retained the name Israel. The remaining tribes called themself Judah, after King David's family line.

The rebellion almost led to war. Rehoboam (southern king) mustered his far superior army to crush the rebellion. But the prophet Shemaiah received word from the Lord and stopped them. 

“Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, to all Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” So they obeyed the word of the Lord and went home again, as the Lord had ordered.  ~ 1 Kings 12:24

Despite the political advantage of lower taxes than their southern brothers, Jeroboam, the new king of Israel (north) worried the religious pull of the temple in Jerusalem would entice religious pilgrims from his territory. He even feared his people might kill him and reconcile under Judah's King Rehoboam. To keep Israelites from straying, Jeroboam instituted a form of calf worship at Dan and Bethel, the southern and northern borders of his kingdom. The politically correct explanation of these "high places" was that "the Lord rode on the backs of the calves" but in fact, calf worship was a bridge to Canaanite cults and led the way to Ba'al worship.

North and South continued to eye each other suspiciously. Israel felt they'd not been treated equally with their southern kinsmen, that they'd borne more than their fair share of taxes and forced labor for an extravagant king. Learning that Israel worshipped golden calves, Judeans eyed them as apostates.

JEZEBEL'S INFLUENCE

Jezebel - John Liston Byam Shaw
courtesy WikiCommons

When a later king of Israel, Ahab, married Princess Jezebel of Tyre, trade routes were strengthened with her Canaanite countrymen. Ahab, enamoured with the beautiful princess, built a temple to Ba'al Melqart in Samaria. Jezebel took her position not only as queen, but as leader of the Ba'al cult in Israel, contributing to even greater departure from the worship of Yahweh. 

This is supported by archeologists finding evidence of cultic worship centers in places throughout Israel such as Megiddo and Western Galilee. Votive images of children seem to indicate child sacrifice.

Not only did Jezebel support the Ba'al cult, she persecuted and killed the prophets of Yahweh. This all led up to a confrontation to between the two forces at Mount Carmel. The prophet Elijah challenged the followers of Ba'al to a contest. The winner's deity would answer by sending fire from heaven. Apparently, Ba'al was away or napping that afternoon, because only Yahweh sent fire to consume His offering.

Despite Yahweh's victory, and the execution of the Priests of Ba'al (although evidently not those of Astarte), the Ba'al cult was decimated. But though it was not as flagrant in the following years, it continued to spread. The key to the religious theme of the times is in 1 Kings 18:21, where Elijah asks, "How long will you falter between two opinions?" (Literally, limp along on two twigs.)

Israel had not totally rejected Yahweh, but attempted an adulterated worship of both Yahweh and Ba'al. If their parents had taught them anything of Moses' writings, they had to know this could only lead to their downfall.

"Fear the Lord your God, serve him only." Deuteronomy 6:13a

A SAD END

The Death of Jezebel
courtesy WikiCommons

Jehu, a later king in Israel, dealt a blow to Ba'al worship in a "sting operation." He summoned all the priests and other cult leaders into the Ba'al temple for a time of feasting and celebration. Instead he had them killed and the temple destroyed.

Still, the people did not return to God. Even Jehu did not totally turn from cult worship. Although he had destroyed Ba'al worship, thrown Jezebel to the dogs, and killed Ahab's remaining family, he continued to worship the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. Some people will never learn!

So the Lord allowed foreign nations to erode Israel's territory. Jehu lost all land east of the Jordan to Syria. Finally, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity by Assyria.

For further reading:

A History of Israel

John J. Davis, John C. Whitcomb

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/high-places-altars-and-the-bamah/

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs, 

The Divided Kingdom: Life in Israel

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~~~~~~

WHIRLWIND ~ Whispers on the Wind, Book 2 

Purchase at ChristianBook     Purchase at Barnes&Noble      Purchase at Amazon

A king's downfall and a love that transcends war

SPURNED BY POTENTIAL SUITORS, Miriam travels to Jezreel to care for her cousin’s son. There, the precocious seven-year-old works his way into her heart. When Arameans swarm the land like locusts, Miriam focuses on the safety of her young ward but promises adventures beyond the city walls when the war ends.

Gershon, a quiet and kind vintner, is happily building a life for his wife, son, and aging parents. But when his wife dies during childbirth and war looms on the horizon, he must make a decision—will he take a new wife before his heart can mend?

Meanwhile, Dov, a young officer crosses paths with the “bird girl” he remembers from the past, now grown to womanhood. That she is a beautiful woman matters not, as he is a career soldier. Unexpectedly charged with leading Ahab’s army against the Arameans, Dov anticipates death and defeat in Samaria, but when a prophet pledges victory, Dov vows to fight to the end.

When an unlikely victory brings freedom, a bright future seems imminent. Then one afternoon Miriam witnesses a tragedy and must flee with the boy to keep them both safe. With henchmen on their trail, will they find refuge—and her heart the home she’s longed for? 

~

DANA MCNEELY writes biblical novels from an Arizona oasis, where she lives with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and myriad migrating butterflies. When not researching, writing, or struggling with the mysteries of social media, Dana can be found wandering in her personal Eden dreaming up new stories.

You may follow Dana at https://DanaMcNeely.com and receive a free eBook! The Eyes of the Lord is a prequel to the Whispers on the Wind series. Rain and Whirlwind follow. 

Where Did You Get Those Jeans?

 By Cindy Regnier
 

I’ve read some historical fiction lately which referred to cowboys wearing jeans. Well, maybe but probably not. So just when, where and who is responsible for the blue jean clad legs of today – the must have apparel of any modern day cowboy? Let’s find out.

As we all know, jeans is the term we use for pants made from denim, also called dungaree cloth. (Hence the rather outdated name of dungarees.) They were invented by two people actually, though we usually only think of one of them, Levi (Loeb) Strauss. 

Mr Strauss and some of his sisters came to America from Germany in 1851 to join their brothers who owned a dry goods store in New York. Levi dealt in several business pursuits once coming to America as well as earning a reputation as a great philanthropist. He contributed to orphanages, relief societies, college scholarships and many other benevolent groups. Like many others, Levi went west to profit from the California Gold Rush. In San Francisco he established a dry goods business where one of the things he sold was cotton cloth.

 One of his customers was Jacob W. Davis, a tailor from Reno, Nevada who is also credited with the invention of jeans. Davis made mostly functional items like tents, wagon covers and horse blankets. Davis had a customer request a pair of “sturdy” pants that could withstand hard work. Being innovative Davis constructed those pants from denim that he had purchased from Levi’s store and made them even stronger with copper rivets at the pockets and flies. The pants were such a success that he wrote to Levi Strauss with his idea and the two men became partners. A patent was granted to Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss & Company on May 20, 1873; and blue jeans were born. 

They opened a factory, named their product jeans after the city of Genoa Italy where the cotton corduroy much like what they used was manufactured. The first jeans, sometimes called waist-overalls back then, were working garments, not fashion items or cowboy attire, though some cowboys undoubtedly wore them for hard ranch work. They were colored blue with indigo dye, the easiest method of coloring cloth at that time. The indigo faded quickly and was expensive to import, so cheaper substitutes were quickly found and used. One thing I found interesting was that In 1890 the XX waist overall was given the lot number “501®” That was the year Levi and his nephews officially incorporated their company Levi Strauss. 

Henry David Lee founded the HD Lee Mercantile Co. in 1889 at a place very near my hometown, Salina Kansas. In 1904 C.C. Hudson founded the Hudson Overall Co., later to become Wrangler. And the rest, as they say, is history. 

By the 1950s movie icons like James Dean had made blue jeans not only fashionable but “cool” and everyone was wearing them. And we still do, so there you have it. That’s how your jeans came to be. Pretty fascinating stuff, huh?
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Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical cowboy romance.