In its very first form, the shoe was just a simple piece of plaited grass or rawhide, which was strapped to the feet. Among the relics of the early Egyptians are some sandals made from plaited papyrus leaves, beautifully and artistically twisted. Records show that sandal making had become a well-recognised art in the history of that country.
The sandal is still the most generally worn type of footwear in many warm countries. In form and ornamentation it reflects the environment in which it was worn, together with the artistic tastes of the people at the time. In some countries the sandal continues to be the same simple kind worn since the dawn of history, while in others the multiple form of the straps and beautiful decorative work reflect the artistry, progress and prosperity of the wearers.
The Japanese, long sandal wearing people, indicated the social status of the wearer by making distinctive sandals for Imperial Household, m merchants and actors, in fact, for the whole range of occupations and professions.
The Greek emphasised design and beauty, while the Romans devised a military type of sandal that enabled their legends to travel on foot. In the more luxurious days of the late Empire the sandals were often beautifully shaped with ornaments of gold and precious stones.
The moccasin is the foot protection of cold countries. The creased seam, which outlines the forepart of the moccasin, is all that remains is all that remains of the puckering string once gathered and tied about the ankle. This peculiar seam still appears in the footwear of people in every cold country.
The shoe has always had an important place in costume. Until recent years, many shoes were made to be worn only on special occasions and ceremonies.
Some of these were very lavish in design and ornament, lending importance and distinction to the official dress of proud wearers.
Through all this development, comparatively little attention was devoted to fitting qualities of comfort. When the medieval guilds controlled craftsmanship in Europe, perfection in workmanship and extravagance in style seems to have been sought in shoes rather than foot comfort or protection.
As late as 1850 most shoes were made on absolutely straight lasts, with no difference between the left and the right shoe.
Up until 1850 all shoes were made with practically the same hand tools that were used in Egypt as early as the 14th century B.C as a part of a sandal maker’s equipment. The shoe makers of the thirty- three intervening centuries had added only a few simple tools such as the princers, the lapstone, the hammer and a variety of rubbing sticks used for finishing edges and hells.
So, shoes were invented from our ancient ancestors, who invented them as they proved to be a necessity. From looking at various different shoes, we can tell various different myths and legends. From time the shapes of shoes changed and the style.
As an addition to my coursework I have also added a timeline of how the different styles of shoes came about.
