Fascinating Facts about Footwear

At Goldsmith Podiatry, we’re doing our part to contribute to education as we celebrate this back to school time of year with some fun facts about footwear Did you know, for example, that the most expensive shoes ever sold were a pair of Dorothy’s ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz for $660,000? Next week will mark the 80th anniversary of the release of this famous movie. Below are some other tidbits about shoes that may help you win the next Trivia Night.

• The very first shoes were made approximately 5,000,000 during the Ice Age. They were made of animal skins.

• In 1324 King Edward II of England decided that the diameter of one barley corn—a third of an inch—would represent a full shoe size. It’s still the same today.

• The best time to buy shoes in the late afternoon because that’s when your feet are their largest.

• High heels are a big part of the reason why women have four times as many foot problems as men.

• The average shoe size in America has gone up two full sizes in the last four decades. This is due largely to the fact that Americans weigh so much more on average now.

• The ancient Romans were the first to design footwear specifically for the left and right foot. Before that, a shoe could be worn on either foot.

• Studies show that 9 out of 10 women are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet.

• The first sneakers were made in 1916 by the U.S. Rubber Company.

• In the sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe the heels of shoes were always red.

Perhaps the most important fact that you should know about footwear is that it has a huge impact on the health of your feet. If you have a chronic foot condition or just want some recommendations about the best shoes for your feet, ask our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia. You can contact our Upper West Side office by calling: (212) 877-1002.