What is the history of the athletic shoe/sneaker?

Question

Where were they first made ? by who, why and when ?
info about the materials used and manufacturing too.

Answer 1

Use in sports

The term athletic shoes is used for running, basketball and tennis (amongst others) but tends to exclude shoes for sports such as football (soccer) and rugby, which are generally called "boots," or "cleats".

The shoes themselves are made of flexible material, typically featuring a sole made of rubber. While the original design was basic, manufacturers have since tailored athletic shoes for the different purposes that they can be used for. An example is the spike developed for the shoe soles for running.

Role of Golf Shoes in the Sport

Golf game involves walking about 7,000 yards. Therefore, we need a good traction and grip, until we finish our swing process. Golf shoes help us to perform well in the game. It provides maximum traction, foot and arch support. It gives increased durability and stability. Golf shoes possesses these essential features by way of the components and materials, that go in its making. New model golf shoes are featured with PU (polyurethane) foot bed combined with charcoal. This enables breathing ability and keeps your feet cool. Moisture is completely sucked by the presence of technical lining present in this shoe. Sometimes golf shoes are also used as hiking shoes or hiking boots, because these shoes are designed with orthopedics in mind. These shoes perfectly fit and keep your feet in shape due to memory-fit insole.

Casual use

Athletic shoes have also been tailored for the casual market, and are popular especially with young people. The terms sneakers and trainers tend to be associated more with the casual use of athletic shoes.

Sneakers that are worn casually are made with a more simple "retro" design which are made to be more aesthetically pleasing than sneakers specifically designed for sports or exercise. Ironically enough, however, sneakers that were once designed for athletic purposes are now more commonly used for fashion. Examples include Converse's Chuck Taylor All Star which was designed for basketball and Adidas' Samba, a soccer boot created for indoor soccer.

Designs vary enormously depending on the origins of the manufacturer. German sneakers have a much more aggressive look, while Italian designs are somewhat more romantic, with finer lines and materials that are more expensive.

These casual shoes are derivatives of shoes worn, and endorsed, by athletes as well as other celebrities. The market for casual athletic shoes is quite large leading to a lot of competition between companies, and their eagerness to sign up celebrities to endorse their products. Popular brands include Nike, Adidas, PUMA, Reebok, Converse and Fila.

Sneakers have become an important part of hip hop culture since the 70s. These days, numerous rappers sign million dollar deals with major brands such as Nike, Adidas or Puma to promote their shoes. Some rappers, such as Fat Joe, are even known to collect sneakers as a hobby.

Invention

The first "sneaker" was invented in 1893. It was made of canvas and was invented so boaters would not have to wear dress shoes when they were on deck- compare boating shoes.

Etymology

The term sneaker was first used in 1916 by the United States Rubber Company for the Keds brand, because rubber soles made the shoes quiet. The British English term "trainer" derives from "training shoe".

Plimsolls (British English) are indoor athletic shoes, and are also called sneakers in American English.


Choosing the proper athletic shoe

Choosing the correct athletic shoe is very important to avoid injury or accidents from happening. Your feet do a lot of hard work when performing different activities and need to be properly protected by you athletic shoe. Failure to protect your feet during various activities can also cause a lot of stress and pain with other parts of your body such as you ankles, knees, hips, back and your muscles. Therefore, wearing the proper athletic shoe is nearly as important as how well you can perform the activity itself. When choosing the proper shoe there are several things you need to consider.

First off, what type of foot do you have? If you have a flat foot you need to choose a shoe with less cushioning as well as a straighter fit shoe. If you have a foot with high arches, you need to choose a shoe that has more shock absorption and has a bit of a curve to it.

Secondly, you need to think about what activity you will be performing. If you are playing basketball or doing aerobics, you need to make sure you are wearing a shoe that supports your ankle to protect as you are taking part in a lot of side to side movements. You may not think this, but walking shoes also require a certain type of shoes. Walking shoes need to have a thick sole in the heel area, approximately 2 1/2 inches thick, with a rocker-sole design (helps the foot roll naturally as you move). Running and hiking shoes however require more comfort and need to be lighter in weight than walking shoes. Running shoes need to have a very flexible in the toe area.

Lastly, you need to consider what type of surface you will be performing on. If you are running on a trail versus a track, it may be advisable to wear a shoe that is made for trails. If you are performing your activity outside and a lot of cutting is required to move in different directions, you will need to choose a shoe that is cleated.

To choose the right shoe you need to match up all three of those considerations: foot type, the sport being played, and the surface you are playing on. Also, keep in mind that if you are playing a sport three times a week, then you need to make sure that you have a sport specific shoe to wear in order to prevent injuries. Overall, you need to make sure the shoe is functionable and comfortable. If it is not, the proper shoe will not do you any good. Make sure you allow enough room in the toe area, and that the back of the shoe is tight against you heel to prevent it from slipping. Another thing to keep in mind; when shopping for the proper athletic shoe, try on shoes with the socks you will be wearing and make sure to do it thirty minutes to an hour after working out to ensure that your foot is at its largest size. If it is too tight in the store, it will not stretch out enough during your activity without causing you some discomfort.

An athletic shoe is a generic name for a shoe designed for sporting activities, and is different in style and build than a dress shoe. Originally known as sporting apparel, today they are known as casual footwear. Depending on what part of the world you live in, they can also go by the name sport shoes, running shoes, gym shoes, tennis shoes, sneakers (American English), trainers (British English), runners (Canadian English), or sandshoes (Australian English). In some urban areas in the United States, the slang for casual athletic shoes is kicks. In Hiberno-English the term is runners. In South African English the term used is takkies.

First Rubber Soled Shoes/Sneakers
The first rubber soled shoes called plimsolls were developed and manufactured in the United States in the late 1800s. In 1892, nine small rubber manufacturing companies consolidated to form the U.S. Rubber Company. Among them was the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company, organized in the 1840s in Naugatuck, Connecticut. This company was the first licensee of a new manufacturing process called vulcanization, discovered and patented by Charles Goodyear. Vulcanization uses heat to meld rubber to cloth or other rubber components for a sturdier, more permanent bond.

On January 24, 1899, Humphrey O'Sullivan received the first patent for a rubber heel for shoes.

From 1892 to 1913, the rubber footwear divisions of U.S. Rubber were manufacturing their products under 30 different brand names. The company consolidated these brands under one name.When choosing a name, the initial favorite was Peds, from the Latin meaning foot, but someone else held that trademark. By 1916, the two final alternatives were Veds or Keds, with the stronger sounding Keds being the final choice.

Keds® were first mass-marketed as canvas-top "sneakers" in 1917. These were the first sneakers. The word "sneaker" was coined by Henry Nelson McKinney, an advertising agent for N. W. Ayer & Son, because the rubber sole made the shoe stealthy or quiet, all other shoes, with the exception of moccasins, made noise when you walked. In 1979, the Stride Rite Corporation acquired the Keds® brand. :-)

The sneaker is a relatively modern invention with its roots in the Industrial Revolution. With new materials like vulcanized rubber and new production methods like assembly lines, shoes could now be manufactured more cheaply and efficiently where once each shoe had to be produced by hand by a shoemaker.

The early part of the 20th century witnessed the birth of many of the familiar sneaker brands, but sneakers stayed the domain of athletes until Hollywood picked up on the fashion, first in the 1930's and then again in the 1950's when teen icon, James Dean, was photographed wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers. From then on, these cheap, durable shoes became part of the official uniform of kids around the world. The following timeline will illustrate the technological and cultural history of the sneaker.

1800's
The first rubber-soled shoes, called plimsolls, were manufactured
1892
Goodyear, then a rubber shoe company and division of the U.S. Rubber Company, begins to manufacture rubber and canvas shoes under different names, finally settling on Keds as the best name.
1908
Marquis M. Converse establishes Converse shoe company, revolutionizing the game of basketball for more than half a century and becoming an American icon.
1917
Keds are the first mass marketed athletic shoes. These shoes are later called sneakers by Henry Nelson McKinney, an advertising agent for N. W. Ayer & Son, because the soles are quiet and make no noise on any surface.
1917
Converse releases the world's first performance basketball shoe, the Converse All Star.
1920
Adi Dassler, founder of Adidas, begins producing handmade training shoes in his mother's washroom without electricity
1923
The All Star gives way to the Chuck Taylor All Star, a staple of basketball players, kids, and rebels for more than 50 years. Also known as Chucks, Cons, Connies, these shoes, to date, have sold more than 744 million in 144 countries.
1924
Adi and Rudolph Dassler, with the help of some 50 family members, register their business as Gebr der Dassler Schuhfabrik in Herzogenaurach, Germany.
1931
Adidas produces its first tennis shoe.
1935
Converse releases the Jack Purcell with its telltale “Smile” on the front. They became a staple of early Hollywood and the bad boy crowd, but remained famous longer after the 1930's badminton/tennis champion, Jack Purcell, had faded into history.
1948
Puma Schuhfabrik Rudolf Dassler is founded and the world is introduced to the PUMA Atom, PUMA's first football shoe worn by members of the West German football team.
1950's
Sneakers are the preferred footwear of teenagers and the symbol of rebellion. These cheap and easily obtained shoes are worn by students around the world. In the U.S., cheerleaders wear sweaters, short skirts, and ankle socks with canvas topped shoes (or keds). The fashion is officially sanctioned when James Dean is photographed wearing his Levis jeans and white sneakers.

In the mid part of the 20th century, the sneaker become a more common cultural phenomenon with emphasis being put on new technologies for athletes. Sports legends such as Joe Namath and Steve Prefontaine became known as much for their performance as for their shoes, however, the first major line of sneakers was endorsed by Chicago Bulls player, Michael Jordan. The Jordan line, to date, has spawned 19 released Air Jordans, the soon to be released Jordan XX, and numerous Team Jordan models.

1962
Phil Knight, a business major at the University of Oregon, and his coach, Bill Bowerman, partner to provide a low cost, high tech athletic shoe under the name Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS)
1968
BRS begins marketing new designs and technology and changes their name to Nike. Nike is named after the Greek Goddess of Victory.
1968
PUMA is the first sports shoe manufacture to offer Velcro fasteners.
1969
Quarterback Joe Namath, wearing PUMA shoes, leads the New York Jets to victory in SuperBowl III.
1971
The Nike Swoosh trademark is purchased from a graphic design student for $35.
1972
Bill Bowerman pours rubber into his wife's waffle iron, creating the basis for the popular Nike Waffle Racer; a shoe with the optimal traction of waffle soles, wedged heel, the cushioned mid-sole, and nylon uppers. Nike marketed its waffle soled shoe by saying that four of the top seven runners at the 1972 Olympic Trials wore Nike shoes.
1973
Steve Prefontaine, runner and an American record-holder, becomes the first major athlete to wear Nike running shoes.
1974
Nike releases the Waffle Trainer, with Bill Bowerman's famous waffle outsole.
1974
Converse releases the Converse One Star line of shoes, representing an entire lifestyles of Indie athlete; individuals whose lifestyle, sports and style are fused together by creativity, imagination and self-expression. Always popular with an eclectic crowd these shoes are now popular in the surf and skate community.
1979
Nike creates the first Nike Air sole units, resulting in the revolutionary Nike Air cushioning. Nike also releases their first running shoe with the patented Nike Air technology, the Nike Tailwind.
1981
Blue Ribbon Sports and Nike merge to form Nike, Inc.
1982
Nike releases the first of a long line of shoes, the Air Force One. This durable shoe has been released in a low, mid, and high-top versions. The Air Force 1 has survived over two decades with little change to its basic design and continues to remain a legacy and a fashion statement with its numerous colorways, however, the all white AF1 remains the favorite.
1985
Chicago Bulls basketball rookie, Michael Jordan, endorses a line of Nike shoes and apparel. Nike releases the first Air Jordan.

The latter part of the 20th century and the first part of the 21st century was all about celebrity endorsements and limited editions. Nike Jordan brand released retro editions of the classic Air Jordans and continued to release new models. Bill Bowerman, father of Nike Inc. died in December 1999, but Nike kept going strong to release a revolution cushioning system called Nike Shox. Reebok, in a bid to strengthen their sales, forms an unheard of partnership with various music artists to create their Sound and Rhythm line.

1987
The first Nike Air Max shoes is released, giving athletes their first real introduction to the Nike Air cushioning. Nike also releases the first Air Cross Trainer, a shoe cushioned enough for aerobics and court sports.

1989
Puma releases its Trinomic sport shoe system.

1991
Puma introduces its high-tech PUMA disc system sport shoe.

1996
PUMA introduces the first foam-free midsole with PUMA CELL technology.

1998
Bauer Nike Hockey is formed, dedicated to producing quality footwear for hockey players.

1999
Basketball star, Vince Carter, is name NBA Rookie of the Year.

1999
Nike co- founder, Bill Bowerman, dies in December.

2000
Sales of Nike Golf products soar after Tiger Woods switches to Nike golf balls wins three majors during the season.

2001
Nike introduces the Nike Shox, the most advanced support technology. The Shox system is based on columns of specially engineered foam that provide superior impact cushioning thus creating a new revolution in shoe design

2003
Nike acquires long-time shoe manufacturer, Converse, Inc.

2003
Converse re-issues authentic presentations of classic athletic performance shoes such as the Chuck Taylor All Star and the Jack Purcell. These editions are now popular with fans of nostalgic fashion and those wanting to return to the purity of past sports eras.

2004
Reebok releases several editions of their popular G-Unit from their Sound and Rhythm line; a never before seen partnership of music and footwear.

2005
Jordan Brand celebrates it's 20th aniversary and the Jordan XX was released.
German based Adidas acquires rival company Reebok in an effort to compete with top-ranked brand, Nike.
2006
Jordan brand to release the Jordan XXI, the 21st edition of the now legendary Air Jordan line. :-)

Answer 2

1962
Phil Knight, a business major at the University of Oregon, and his coach, Bill Bowerman, partner to provide a low cost, high tech athletic shoe under the name Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS)
1968
BRS begins marketing new designs and technology and changes their name to Nike. Nike is named after the Greek Goddess of Victory.
1968
PUMA is the first sports shoe manufacture to offer Velcro fasteners.
1969
Quarterback Joe Namath, wearing PUMA shoes, leads the New York Jets to victory in SuperBowl III.
1971
The Nike Swoosh trademark is purchased from a graphic design student for $35.
1972
Bill Bowerman pours rubber into his wife's waffle iron, creating the basis for the popular Nike Waffle Racer; a shoe with the optimal traction of waffle soles, wedged heel, the cushioned mid-sole, and nylon uppers. Nike marketed its waffle soled shoe by saying that four of the top seven runners at the 1972 Olympic Trials wore Nike shoes.
1973
Steve Prefontaine, runner and an American record-holder, becomes the first major athlete to wear Nike running shoes.
1974
Nike releases the Waffle Trainer, with Bill Bowerman's famous waffle outsole.
1974
Converse releases the Converse One Star line of shoes, representing an entire lifestyles of Indie athlete; individuals whose lifestyle, sports and style are fused together by creativity, imagination and self-expression. Always popular with an eclectic crowd these shoes are now popular in the surf and skate community.
1979
Nike creates the first Nike Air sole units, resulting in the revolutionary Nike Air cushioning. Nike also releases their first running shoe with the patented Nike Air technology, the Nike Tailwind.
1981
Blue Ribbon Sports and Nike merge to form Nike, Inc.
1982
Nike releases the first of a long line of shoes, the Air Force One. This durable shoe has been released in a low, mid, and high-top versions. The Air Force 1 has survived over two decades with little change to its basic design and continues to remain a legacy and a fashion statement with its numerous colorways, however, the all white AF1 remains the favorite.
1985
Chicago Bulls basketball rookie, Michael Jordan, endorses a line of Nike shoes and apparel. Nike releases the first Air Jordan.

Answer 3

Nike Air Black Running Shoes