As a rule, it was believed that shoes go back about thirty thousand years ago, but recently, according to the journal of archeological science, human fossils found in China forty thousand years ago point to a hoof shoe. The oldest preserved shoes date back to ten thousand years ago, and they were made from plant fiber. The first shoe was probably just wrapped around the legs, and its main purpose was solely for protection. Over the years, shoes have also become a fashion statement.
In the Renaissance, shoe manufacturing standards were introduced. The skin was the main material, despite the skins of animals, also used a thick fabric or wool felt. Wide-toed shoes for socks, called ducks, was the norm until the end of the Renaissance, where they were replaced by more subtle forms of shoes, such as escaffignons. At this time, the poor were dressed in galos, leather shoes with wooden soles. The peasants were dressed in clogs, fashioned from a piece of wood.
Shoes continue to evolve, and cork will soon become a popular material for soles. Heels appeared. Shoes for women began to have embroidery, and heels were the color. Moccasins and covered slippers were presented along with boots in the Baroque era. After this era, other materials were used to make shoes - velvet and satin, lined with leather for ladies and buffs and suede for men.
In the early 1800s, patent leather appeared, and shoes became lighter. Left and right shoes were introduced with steel tips and heels. This was followed by rubber used as a material. By 1885, shoe sizes were standardized. In the 1930s, fashion began to wear fashionable clothes, and it soon became a practical choice during this period of depression. Silk and baby woman shoes were replaced with leather and suede.
Wartime also imposes restrictions on shoes. Leather was limited, rubber soles were banned (they were priority for use on army boots), shoes were fixed by one inch, soles were thinner, plastic soles were needed. In some places, such as France, only shoes made of yarn, fabric and wood are legal. Luxury shoes were supposed to find alternatives to leather and crocodile, snake and lizard skin. Pins appeared in the 1950s. With the need to find an alternative to leather, other materials, including synthetic, like plastic, have become more popular. And with this came a lot of styles. The 1970s revived the platform, straps, sandals and high boots.
In the 1980s, innovations in sports shoes, including air soles, ergonomic designs and an emphasis were made not only on style, but also on comfort. In the 1990s, even more innovations emerged with the invention of microfiber and elastic fabrics. Shoe manufacturing techniques have also come a long way. And the latter in shoes seem to be designed to be more environmentally friendly and more harmonious with nature.
Over time, shoe innovations have been identified and influenced by many aspects, including culture, geography and weather, the political climate, technology, economics and art. Despite the fact that with these factors, the history of shoes around the world is similar, and modern shoes - it's just an adaptation of past styles.
