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!