History of Shoe Design

AntiquityAncient Egypt• Sandals were made from papyrus or

leather

Ancient Greece• Greeks were excellent shoemakers• Each occupation had a particular shoe• Shoes were only worn outdoors

Ancient Rome• Shoes were developed to be sturdy and durable for soldiers• Color denoted class: emperors – red, senators – b&w

Fancy Pharaoh’s sandal

Egyptian Sandals

Greek Sandal

The Middle Ages

• Men wore poulaines with exaggerated pointed toes

• Pattens were shoes made from wood that were worn over top of existing shoes – kept feet raised out of the mud

1500s

• Men wore escaffignins – rounded toe shoe, sort of like early Toms.

• Women wore chopines – similar to the pattens of the middle ages– Raised platform– Got taller and taller – up to

30 inches!

1600s

• Men wore heeled shoes with red soles – Louis XVI liked these and made them popular.

• Women started paying more attention to footwear. More shapes and styles emerged.

1700s

• Men wore black heeled shoes with a prominent buckle.

• Women wore ornate, over-the-top gowns, so they needed shoes to match.– Most were high heels– Made from silk or painted

leather– Often had large

interchangeable buckles

1800s

• Women wore flowing, comfortable dresses, so they had shoes to match – slippers.– No heel– Soft materials

• Boots were used for the outdoors.

• Men’s shoes remained black and conservative and stayed this way for the next century.

• Lace up shoes became popular at this time.

Early 1900s

• First sneakers made by Keds in 1917

• 1920s – women’s shoes became lighter – had straps so they’d stay on while dancing

• Men wore patent leather pumps with splats for formal occasions

Mid 1900s

• 1930s – sandals reemerge due to popularity of outdoor activities. Boots disappeared except for laborers.

• 1940s – leather rationed due to WWII, so other animal hides were used.

• 1950s - stilettos – pumps with slim heels were introduced

• Men continued to wear conservative shoes like converse sneakers and oxfords.

Late 1900s

• 1960s – Men’s shoes get crazy to match the clothing of the time. Lots of suede and color options.

• 1970s – Lots of experimentation with shoes. Disco influenced shoe styles

• 1980s – women’s presence in the professional workforce strengthened – needed serious, professional shoes.– Men’s fashions returned to conservative

colors and styles

Your Project

1. Design a Cardboard Shoe that can be made in another country to support an informal economy.

2. Your shoe must include a schematic as well as a prototype.

3. Your shoe should be stylish, would you want to wear it?

4. Develop and angle or pitch, why is your shoe better than the rest?

Your Project

Things to consider:• The shoe design must be clear and easy to

understand by someone who does not read or speak English

• The shoe prototype will be made out of cardboard, what are the properties of cardboard?

• BEGIN THE DISCOVERY STAGE!