Alpha Industries came into being in 1959 making military clothing in the basement of a rented Knoxville, Tennessee factory. Over the years and as conflicts arose around the world Alpha specialized in manufacturing many types of jackets and pants for U.S. military forces. By the 1970's the popularity of the brand went beyond it's military use and spread into popular culture. Alpha decided to place three lines on the labels of commercial clothing so factory workers could readily identify which jackets were part of a government contract from those that were not. A globally recognized street wear brand was born.