It's a fashion absolute -- blue jeans are uniquely American and blue jeans are big business.  The story of Levi's is the story of an American icon that swept the globe and brought denim, side stitching and rivets into just about every household, where it has remained for more than 150 years.

Levi's 501 jean was designed in the late 1800's.   With an updated style the popularity of the 501 is legendary.  The jeans are one of the best selling garments of all times and have been worn by an impressive list of celebrities.

Celebrity Slide Show: Who Made Levi's Famous?

Watch Video: Levi's in Hollywood
Who made Levi's famous? Hollywood and Rock n Roll. CNBC'S Carl Quintanilla reports.

The glitz of the designer Jean appeared in the late 1970's and blindsided the king of blue jeans.  Jeans were suddenly cool to wear out to the disco.  Competitors began creating more stylish jeans marking the beginning of the "Designer Wars."

Levi's calls it "The Archive" - it's collections of Levi's from the 1800's, turn-of-the-century and WWII.  Popular styles that propelled the Levi's into a global brand.  Levi historian Lynn Downey makes it her personal mission to preserve the past.

Watch Video: Take a Walk Through History... in Levi's
Carl Quintanilla shows us the Levi's "Vault" packed with vintage value.

The Value of Vintage Slide Show: Are You Sitting On A Fortune?

The future is here with new styles and partnerships.   Levi's makes a decision in that shocks the world when it  rolls out a new line called "Signature Jeans" into every Wal-Mart store in the U.S.