The Leather Motorcycle Jacket History

Every Schott leather jacket is made in the USA. Each comes with a 90 year history of the great American dream. Over 90 years, four Schott generations and the love of open spaces and open roads. This history has spanned one King, two world wars, 22 presidents and numerous skirmishes. We've learned to leave our troubles behind and hit the road with the wind in our face.

The Mode T was rolling out in 1913 and the streets becoming crowded in New York City. At this time two Russian immigrants, brothers, came up with an idea and went after their piece of the big dream. Jack and Irving Schott began making raincoats and sold them door to door all over New York City.

Into the mid 1920s, when Al Capone and Babe Ruth were in the news breaking laws and records, the Schott brothers changed the way we dress forever when they were the first to put a zipper on a jacket. This totally changed American fashion, and attire. Glad we are today that the Schott brothers had the thought to utilize a zipper on one of their jackets!

Innovation being the modus operandi of the times the Schott brothers targeted the motorcycle market and the leather jacket. In 1928 Irving Schott produced the first leather motorcycle jacket from his own design. At $5.50 each and named the "Perfecto" it was an instant success. This rugged and durable leather motorcycle jacket became the symbol of the American fascination with motorcycles and the symbol of freedom and the biker image.

Soon the country would be thrust into a World War and the Schott brother would be commissioned by the US Air Force to produce what became the "bomber jacket" out of leather. The leather was an asset to keep the wind away from our soldiers bodies, and kept them warm at the high altitudes they flew at. Below, on the decks of the ships, servicemen utilized the Schott leather pea coats, and wool pea coats, to keep the chill of the open sea from reaching down to their bones.

With WWII over and the threat of communism put in check by MacArthur in Korea, this country was witnessing the rise of a new rebellion - one that would be fought with fast cars and Rock and Roll. In 1954, the now cult classic "The Wild Ones" featured the hot young actor, Marlon Brando, perched on his motorcycle wearing his Schott Perfecto. The subsequent spike in popularity of the Perfecto surprisingly resulted in decreased sales. The jackets were actually banned by school systems around the country because they symbolized a burgeoning teen demographic, the "hood".

For 50 years Schott NYC has grown and prospered and produced leather jackets and attire. The Schott family, still in control of the company, has kept hold through generation after generation. Now they have expanded into women's fashion attire, handbags, and even sunglasses. The business still operates out of the New York City area and is in a 100 year old building.

Schott continues their motorcycle heritage expanding into sunglasses, bags, nylons and wools at their 100 year old factory in the New York City area.

For four generations the Schott family has produced quality leather products. We thank you for helping us keep a bit of American history alive and well.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

SchottNYC.com has made leather motorcycle jackets and leather accessories in New York City since 1928.
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