A Short History of the Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Made in the USA, each Schott NYC jacket comes with a story that has been written over the course of 90 years, four generations of Schotts, two world wars, 22 presidents, one King, and an American love affair with hitting the open road with the wind in your face and your troubles behind you.

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.

By the mid-twenties, while Babe Ruth and Al Capone were making headlines for breaking records and breaking laws, Schott NYC was making headlines of its own by revolutionizing the way we dress for the outdoors when they were the first to put a zipper on a jacket.

Eager to innovate, it was no surprise that Irving Schott then set his sights on another American classic in the making - the motorcycle. In 1928, nearly 40 years before Harley Davidson would create their own, Irving Schott designed and produced the first leather motorcycle jacket. Retailing for $5.50 at a Long Island Harley Davidson distributor, the Perfecto was durable, rugged, and immediately embraced. To this new generation of "bikers," the Perfecto was a symbol of the excitement, adventure and danger that fueled their fascination with motorcycles.

But as the country and the world turned its attention overseas, so did Schott. Commissioned by the US Air Force at the start of WWII, Irving Schott designed and produced a "bomber jacket" that would serve and protect Our Boys as they fought for liberty in the air over Europe and the Pacific. And on deck, servicemen kept out the cold with Schott's classic melton wool naval pea coat. Rugged and warm, these leather and wool jackets would be produced by Schott for the US Military for the next 60 years.

After WWII the American Dream turned towards motorcycles and stars rose to the call. James Dean, Marlon Brando and others came into the limelight and they all wore Schott leather jackets. Remember the movie "The Wild Ones" ... who could forget?

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 NYC is dedicated to the ideas of quality, individuality and the American spirit. We will remain in our hearts the American dream and want every person who buys a Schott leather jacket to realize and enjoy the quality we promote.

Four generations of our family thank you for appreciating our passion.

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

SchottNYC.com, first to put a zipper on a jacket, has made leather motorcycle jackets since 1928.
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