A Short History Of The Leather Motorcycle Jacket
By SchottNYC.com
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.

In 1913, as Ford's new Model T began to crowd the already bustling streets of New York City, two brothers, the sons of a Russian immigrant, went after their piece of the American Dream. Irving and Jack Schott starting making raincoats in a basement on the Lower East Side of Manhattan which were then sold by street peddlers door to door.

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.

American life was again interrupted with the start of WWII. The US Air Force commissioned Schott to produce a "bomber jacket" for the flyers in the air over enemy territories. The air is cold at the flying altitudes over Europe and the Pacific as well. The leather jacket fought of the chill and blocked the wind. Schott's naval pea coat provided servicemen with a warm rugged coat to keep them away from the weather and conditions at sea. Schott went on to produce these leather and wool pea coats for the US Military for 60 years.

By 1954 the war was over, Korea was the focus, and America was back in full swing. "The Wild One" premiered and became a cult classic. Fast cars, rock 'n roll and the new America combined with leaders such as Marlon Brando and James Dean. The "Schott Perfecto" leather jacket was at the core of fashion for the "hood" and the motorcycle centered segment of society. Although the jackets became banned in school systems across the country they

inevitably won out and are still a mainstay in motorcycle garb to this day.

Over the past 50 years Schott NYC has seen new leadership and continues to grow. Styles and products have changed, and some stayed the same, as materials are modernized, changed and fashion styles have come and gone. Schott accessories abound and are now found worldwide.

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 Schott's thank you for appreciating our quality leather products and our passion for the motorcycle jacket.

SchottNYC.com has made leather motorcycle attire since 1928.
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