Leather Jackets

A leather jacket is made of tanned leather and can be worn as protective outerwear while motorcycle riding, or as a fashion statement. Leather jackets come in a variety of styles and can be representative of different subcultures like bikers or punks.

Fast Facts

1. Worn for protection or fashion
2. Made and worn since prehistoric times
3. Made from tanned animal hides
4. Can last a lifetime with proper care
5. Became popular in the 1950's when many actors wore them in films
6. "Bomber jackets" are worn by military aviators
7. Trademark of "The Fonz" from Happy Days

Cultural Impact

The leather jackets become widely popular through film and television. Character is movies would wear leather jackets which made them popular as a fashion statement. They were also a staple of "Greasers" during the 1950s. The leather jacket was further popularized by Henry Winkler's character "The Fonz" on TV's Happy Days. This jacket is currently on display in the Smithsonian Institution.

Leather Jackets in Film

• Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator
• Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones
• The Matrix
• The Punisher

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