Shoes are an essential part of our daily lives, providing comfort, protection, and style. From athletic sneakers to formal dress shoes, there are countless types and styles of footwear to choose from. But beyond their practical use, shoes have also played an important cultural and historical role in human society. So, let’s take a closer look at 20 shoe facts that will give you a new appreciation for the humble shoe.
1-5 Fun Facts About Shoes
1. The term “sneaker” was coined in 1917 by Henry Nelson McKinney, an ad guru at NW Ayer & Sons, because the rubber sole made no sound, allowing wearers to move around undetected.
2. Heels, which are now predominantly worn by women, were initially a symbol of nobility during the Ancien Regime, and the origins of when women adopted this trend are still unclear.
3. Platform shoes were used by Greek actors to denote their social status, making them the original “status symbol” footwear.
4. The humble grain of barley is where measuring shoes began, a far cry from the sophisticated technology used today.
5. The average woman owns 19 pairs of shoes, which is enough to cover every occasion and mood.
6-10 Insane Facts About Shoes
6. There were no left and right shoes before 19th century!
7. Neil Armstrong’s boots from his moon landing are still on the moon, making them the farthest-traveled shoes in history.
8. Robert Wadlow, the tallest person in recorded history at 2.72 meters, had shoe size 71, making him a real-life “big foot” and one of the most-unique shoe wearers ever.
9. The most expensive shoes in the world are Antonio Vietri’s Moon Star shoes, which cost a whopping $20 million. They’re a perfect fit for anyone who wants to feel like they’re walking on the moon.
10. The tarantula shoe is one of the most dangerous shoes out there. It’s not only tall and impractical, but it also has a live tarantula living in the sole of the shoe. Definitely not for the faint of heart!
11-15 Interesting Facts About Shoes
11. Scientists recommend leaving your shoes outside to prevent tracking harmful bacteria, pathogenic chemicals, and other health hazards into your home. So, make sure to kick off your shoes before entering the house!
12. It turns out that wearing shoes has led to less bone growth and thinner toes, according to archaeologists who studied the evolution of foot bones.
13. Altocalciphilia is a medical term used to describe individuals who are addicted to shoes. So, if you find yourself hoarding shoes like there’s no tomorrow, you might want to check if you have a case of Altocalciphilia.
14. Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal turned down a $40 million deal with Reebok after a woman criticized him for making expensive shoes for kids. Instead, he signed with Walmart and brought in designers from Reebok to make his shoes look more expensive than their $20 price tag. Over 400 million pairs were sold.
15. Two German brothers, Adi and Rudolf Dassler, worked together during WWII making sports shoes. After a big falling out between them, they split up and founded their own rival firms – Adidas and Puma.
16-20 Cool Facts About Shoes
16. The rivalry between Adidas and Puma became so intense that the German town of Herzogenaurach, where both companies had their headquarters, became known as “the town of bent necks” as locals would first check which firm’s shoes someone was wearing before starting a conversation.
17. Nike created a pair of shoes so technologically advanced that they were banned from the Olympics for being considered “technological doping.” These shoes called the Alphaflys or “the shoe that broke running,” contain technology designed to provide greater energy return.
18. Adidas is making shoes from recycled ocean plastic and has sold over a million pairs of these shoes as of 2017. Each pair of shoes is made from 11 recycled plastic bottles.
19. Michael Jackson had a patent on the shoes he used in his “Smooth Criminal” performance, which allowed him to lean forward at a 45-degree angle.
20. Puma paid $120k to Pele to tie his shoes in the middle of the field seconds before the kickoff of the World Cup final in Mexico in 1970. The cameraman captured the moment in a close-up, revealing that the best player of that time was wearing Puma shoes. After that event, life changed for Puma.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 20 Fun and Weird Facts About Shoes.
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