// Lee

The company was formed in 1889 by Harry David Lee as the Lee Mercantile Company at Salina, Kansas to produce dungarees and jackets. The growth of Lee was prompted by the introduction of the Union-All work jumpsuit in 1913 and their first overall in 1920.

To help promote the brand the Buddy Lee doll was created in 1920. Originally it was used as advertising in store windows but was later sold and for a time was the second best selling doll in the US.

Later in the 1920s Lee introduced a zipper fly and continued to expand. During the 1930s and 1940s the company became the leading manufacturer of work clothes in the US and in the 1950s expanded into casual wear. During the 1960s the company expanded to 51 countries and in 1969 was acquired by VF Corporation.