Slaner was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the son of immigrants from Germany.
[1] His family moved to Hornell, New York where they manufactured silk gloves.
Kayser developed and patented a unique glove with reinforced fingertips that set him apart from the competition.
Recognising the power of the new media (as large circulation fashion magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan were exploding in popularity), Kayser devoted a great deal of time and energy into domestic and even international advertising - a move that brought immediate returns and rapid expansion.
[1] In addition to his large mill in Brooklyn, most of the mills were in New York state (Hornell, Walton, Sidney, Owego, Schenectady, Binghamton, Amsterdam, Syracuse, Buffalo, Monticello and Rockville Center).