History of Shoes

History of Shoes Humans started wearing shoes about 40,000 -26,000 years ago, (as anthropological research suggests). But the records of earliest known shoes are Middle Neolithic Sandals dating from approx. 7,000 or 8,000 B.C., found in the Fort Rock Cave in the US state of Oregon. The oldest known Leather Shoe dates about 3500 B.C., found in Armenia. Hence, the history begins. Here is a Timeline of the Evolution of Shoes, from a patch of leather & grass string to the present day OLDEST SANDALS Fashion Marvels. 8000 BC Sagebrush bark sandals from Fort Rock Cave, Oregor USA are the oldest pair found till date. ESPARTO SANDALS 6000 BC Esparto Sandals found in Spain. The word sandal derives from the Greek word sandalon. OLDEST LEATHER SHOE 3500 BC The oldest known leather shoe, also known as Areni-1, was found in Armenia. ICEMAN'S SHOE 3300 BC Ötzi the Iceman's shoes - a simple cloak made of woven grass to protect from servere cold. EGYPTIAN SANDALS 1200 BC Peaked Toe of a leather sandal denoted a King, Prince or Priest, while a Plaited hemp or a Papyrus sole a ommon citizen. GREEK SHOES 1000 BC Pedila of Homer's time was a Soldier's shoe and Krepis, the Soldier's shoe with Carved tounge indicated a free man or citizen. INDIAN PADUKA 200 BC Paduka is India's oldest and most quintessen- tial footwear. Earliest evidence found around ROMAN OFFICER'S SHOES this time yet legend has they are prevalent before ages of Rama and even Vedas. 100 BC Evolved from Greek shoes, Officer's laced Campagus, the higher shoe top denoted the higher rank. ROMAN STRAP SANDALS 50 Romans devised Thongs suitable for military activities which were also adapted for Gladiator sports. BC ROMAN GLADIATOR SANDALS 27 BC The Gladiator Spartan warrior sandals got more brass and shin guard during the period of Roman rule. VIKING LEATHER SHOES 800 When Scandinavian Norsemen explored Europe by its oceans and rivers for trade and conquest, they evolved from Sandals to Leather Shoes to protect their feet from harsh climates GERMAN CARBATINE 1000 Commoner's Rawhide shoe dating back to early Greeks. MONGOL GUTUL 1200 Noble Horseman's embroidererd felt winter boot, most colorful footwear in the Orient. DUTCH CLOGS 1230 Clog is a type of footwear made in part or com- pletely from wood, were often worn in heavy labor. The oldest surviving wooden footwear in Europe is found in the Netherlands. ENGLISH & FRENCH SHOES 1500 English Sabbaton-Chain held incredibly long toe erect. Frensh Estivau-Pikeman's Shoe with Wood pattern heralded later as Men's Shoe heel. FRENCH SABBOT EAST INDIA COMPANY 1580 A Clog shoe from France and other surrounding Countries such as Belgium, were made for lower class workers. INDIAN SHOES 1600 Babouche, East India period when only nobles and well-to-do could wear shoes. CAVALIER BOOTS SITY UNIVERSITY OF 1620 OXFORD Cavalier boots were popular in Europe, commonly known today as Pirate boots. FIRST OXFORDS Renissance 1665 Shoes worn by students of Oxford University around 1665-70, gave them the name and so a legacy of a shoe started. RENAISSANCE SHOES 1700 Different styles were evolved for varíous classes during the long period of Renaissance. ARISTOCRAT HEELS 1701 These Heels got the fame from King Louis XIV. Throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centu- ries, heels were an indicator of wealth and status. These heels later became more famous INDIAN MOCCASINS for Women's designer shoes. 1750 Native American shoes that varied and evolved in different tribes and climates. This easy to wear yet classy piece of footwear started an un-ending era of fashion footwear for men. BRITISH SHOES PUMP SHOES 1800 Inspired from the Oxford Shoes, these were Commoner's Dress shoes worn by British. Inspired from Moccasins, a low and soft Dress shoe suitable primarily for indoor wear, made in Philadelphia, USA. BRITISH GÖRED SHOES 1850 OXFORD SHOES Men's 'Gored' Dress Shoes with Expansible Elasticized cloth made them easier to draw on. 1860 Oxfords first appeared in Scotland and Ireland, where they are occasionally called Balmorals after the Queen's castle in Scotland, Balmoral. COWBOY BOOTS These are the few historical shoes that are still in fashion today. 1870 Evolved from Mongolian riding boots, these Cowboy Boots gained their popularity in American Cowboys, as they are ideal while riding their horses along with being a bold fashion statement. LILY-FOOT CHINESE SHOES 1905 Originted in China, these are a product of a strange custom (smaller feet are considered a sign of beauty) of binding girls' feet from infancy. ALPINE BOOTS 1910 Dress Shoes evolved as Boots for Mountain climbers, specialy in Alps, hence the name. Bent nails on a sturdy sole gave climber secure footing and easy grip on the icy slopes. ROCKSTAR BOOTS 1970 For the first time since the Aristocratic age, men once again wore elevating shoes. Male rock stars popularized the fashion by wearing extremely high platforms and their fans soon followed. AND THE REST IS 'PRESENT' THAT WE RECEIVED FROM OUR AMAZING HISTORY OF SHOES SOME INTERESTING FACTS The history of Shoe-making really began with St. Crispin, the patron saint of shoemakers. Since medieval times, October 25th has been celebrated as St. Crispin's Day (the Shoemaker's Holiday). In the 17th century court of King Louis XIV, only those granted access to his court were allowed to wear red coloured heels. In Greek culture, empty shoes are the equivalent of the American funeral wreath. In Arab culture, showing the sole of your shoe is considered an insult, and to throw your shoe and hit someone with it, is considered an even greater insult. In India, as in most Arab countries, shoes are considered impure, hence to be removed outside one's house, temple, mosques and other places of worship. Content Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe http://pages.uoregon.edu/connolly/FRsandals.htm http://www.shoeinfonet.com/about%20shoes/history http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0767796.html http://commons.wikimedia.org http://www.batashoemuseum.ca http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/ http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/ Infographic by : PS www.lifestylebyps.com