History about shoes: Did you know shoes have been around for as long as recorded history? While they likely began as wrappings, they became more fitted and more substantial as time went on. Here's a brief evolution of shoes over the years:
- Shoes are meant as protection from the elements. Early shoes included sandals to protect against hot sand.
- Heels were added to shoes in the Middle East to add more space between the foot and the hot sand.
- In the Second Century AD, Asians heavily reinforced their boots for outdoor use.
- In 1660, Samuel Pepys began adding buckles to shoes to help keep the boots closed and the feet warm.
- Lace-up shoes were originally done with leather. Shoelaces and their complementary eyelets were created in 1790.
- Until the 1800s, shoes were universal – any shoe would fit either foot as long as it was the right size. It wasn't until the 19th Century in Philadelphia that shoes were made specifically for the right and the left foot.