Love shoes as much as Imelda Marcos? If so, this post is for you.
Reader C in DC suggested last week that I brainstorm for names associated with shoes, and I thought that was a cool idea. So here’s my stab at it.
Luther
In 1938, American archaeologist Luther Cressman discovered a 10,000-year-old pair of sandals–the oldest pair of shoes ever found in North America (and maybe the world).
Louis and Nicolas
French shoemaker Nicolas Lestage designed elaborate high heeled shoes — the “Louis heel” — for Louis XIV around 1660.
Arthur
Anglo-Irish soldier/politician Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, created (with the help of his shoemaker) the Wellington boot in the early 1800s.
Charles
- American inventor Charles Goodyear figured out how to vulcanize rubber in 1839. This discovery paved the way for the invention of sneakers.
- Speaking of sneakers…Chuck Taylor All-Stars were named after American basketball player and shoe salesman Charles “Chuck” Taylor.
Mary Jane
Mary Janes got their name from the Buster Brown comic strip character Mary Jane in the early 1900s.
Salvatore and Judy (and Dorothy)
Italian shoemaker Salvatore Ferragamo created the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the movie The Wizard of Oz (1939).
Klaus
German army doctor Klaus Märtens started making boots in the late 1940s.
Roger
French fashion designer Roger Vivier created his iconic Pilgrim pumps in the 1960s.
Chelsea
Chelsea boots were fashionable during the 1960s.
Nancy
Nancy Sinatra helped popularize go-go boots with her song “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” (1966).
Christian
French footwear designer Christian Louboutin first introduced his red-lacquered soles in 1992.
And now, just like last time, two questions:
- What other shoe-inspired names can you come up with?
- What interests/activities should we namestorm about next?
Sources: History of Footwear, Wikipedia
