Prehistoric Footwear (circa 40,000 BCE): The earliest evidence of shoes comes from ancient cave paintings and skeletal remains showing changes in toe bone structure, suggesting that humans wore protective foot coverings.
Earliest Known Shoes (circa 3,500 BCE): The oldest preserved shoe, a leather moccasin-style shoe, was found in Armenia. Around the same time, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used sandals made from woven grass, papyrus, and leather.
Roman Influence: Romans developed different types of shoes for various social classes and purposes, including military boots (caligae).
Medieval & Renaissance Periods (5th – 17th Century)
Early Medieval Shoes: Basic leather turnshoes were common, with pointed toes becoming fashionable in the 12th century.
Pattens & Chopines (14th – 16th Century): Elevated wooden platforms, called pattens, were used to protect shoes from muddy streets. In Venice, extravagant high-soled chopines were popular among noblewomen.
First Heeled Shoes (16th Century): Persian horsemen wore heeled shoes for stability in stirrups, a style later adopted in Europe.
18th Century: Shoes became more refined, with men favoring buckled shoes and women wearing silk or embroidered slippers.
19th Century: The Industrial Revolution enabled mass production of shoes, making them more affordable. Rubber-soled shoes (early sneakers) were introduced in the late 1800s.
20th Century – Present
Early 1900s: Oxfords, brogues, and high heels became mainstream. Converse released the first basketball sneaker (Chuck Taylor All Stars) in 1917.
Mid-20th Century: Sneakers gained popularity, with Adidas, Puma, and Nike emerging as major brands.
Late 20th Century – Present: Specialized sports shoes, high-tech materials, and fashion-driven footwear became dominant. Today, shoes are designed for both function and style, incorporating sustainable and smart technology.
