Before permanent press clothes, there was washand- wear. Wash-and-wear had a big problem. Even after hours of ironing, it would never hold a crease. The fabric also tended to pucker if it was sewn, after processing, but the problems could not be solved before processing. Permanent press cured all these ailments of the fabric industry. The new method let manufacturers, put creases, or even pleats, into the fabric. They could not be removed afterwards, and the fabric would not wrinkle with washing and drying. Needless to say, it was an instant success. Koret of California developed the process in 1956. It was not until Levi Strauss and Co. bought the fabric for their Sta-Prest men's pants in 1964 that it caught on. Within a few weeks of the first shipment of Levi's, every major clothing manufacturer became a permanent-press fan. Koret quickly formed Koratron Co. to...