History of Shoe in Timeline
A shoe is a form of footwear designed to protect and provide comfort to the human foot, which is vulnerable despite its adaptability. Initially driven by function, shoes have evolved into fashion items. Certain types of shoes serve as safety equipment, like steel-toe boots used in industrial settings for foot protection.
1902: Initial Ban on Foot Binding
In 1902, a ban on foot binding was implemented in China, although it was soon repealed.
1910: Development of AGO Shoe Manufacturing Process
In 1910, a process for manufacturing stitchless shoes, known as AGO (glued shoes), was developed.
1911: Re-establishment of Foot Binding Ban
In 1911, the new Nationalist government in China banned foot binding again, which was effective in coastal cities.
1916: Keds Brand Established
In 1916, the United States Rubber Company consolidated its rubber-soled shoe brands under the name Keds, which became known as "sneakers".
1938: Discovery of Sagebrush Bark Sandals
In 1938, the earliest known shoes, sagebrush bark sandals dating from approximately 7000 or 8000 BC, were found in the Fort Rock Cave in the US state of Oregon.
1948: Construction of the Haines Shoe House
In 1948, Mahlon Haines built a house shaped like a work boot in Hallam, Pennsylvania, as an advertisement for his shoe business; the Haines Shoe House remains a roadside attraction.
1949: Enforcement of Foot Binding Ban by Mao Zedong
In 1949, Mao Zedong enforced the ban on foot binding in China, continuing the effort to eliminate the practice.
1964: Founding of Nike
In 1964, Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman of the University of Oregon founded Nike, introducing many new improvements common in modern running shoes.
1968: Puma Introduces Velcro Sneakers
In 1968, Puma SE introduced the first pair of sneakers with Velcro straps in lieu of shoelaces.
1969: Chuck Taylor inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
In 1969, Chuck Taylor was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of developing shoes specific to the sport of basketball, popularly known as Chuck Taylor All-Stars.
1973: Introduction of Mondopoint System (ISO 2816:1973)
In 1973, the Mondopoint system was introduced by International Standard ISO 2816:1973 for shoe sizing.
1975: ISO 3355:1975 Shoe sizes – System of length grading
In 1975, ISO 3355:1975 "Shoe sizes – System of length grading (for use in the Mondopoint system)" was introduced.
April 1985: Introduction of Air Jordan Shoes
In April 1985, Nike introduced the Air Jordan basketball shoe, named after Michael Jordan, which sold $100 million in its first year.
1985: Release of 'The Man with One Red Shoe'
In 1985, the comedy film "The Man with One Red Shoe" was released, featuring a man whose eccentric footwear becomes central to the plot.
2003: Iraqis Strike Saddam Hussein Statue with Shoes
In 2003, after Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled in Iraq, Iraqis struck the statue with their shoes as a sign of insult and protest.
August 2006: Discovery of Jotunheimen Shoe
In August 2006, the Jotunheimen shoe was discovered; archaeologists estimate that this leather shoe was made between 1800 and 1100 BC, making it the oldest article of clothing discovered in Scandinavia.
2007: Global Shoe Industry Market Size
In 2007, the global shoe industry had an overall market of $107.4 billion in terms of revenue.
2008: Shoe thrown at George W. Bush
In 2008, United States President George W. Bush had a shoe thrown at him by a journalist as a statement against the war in Iraq.
2008: Discovery of World's Oldest Leather Shoe
In 2008, the world's oldest leather shoe, made from a single piece of cowhide, was discovered in the Areni-1 cave complex in Armenia and is believed to date to 3500 BC.
2012: Projected Growth of Global Shoe Industry
By the end of 2012, the global shoe industry was expected to grow to $122.9 billion in terms of revenue.
2023: Sandals found in Cueva de los Murciélagos
In 2023, sandals and other plant fiber based tools were found in Cueva de los Murciélagos in Albuñol in southern Spain, dating to approximately 7500 to 4200 BC, making them what are believed to be the oldest shoes found in Europe.
