10 interesting facts about shoes that you didn't know!

The surprising world of shoes

Wondering what the first shoes in history looked like? Or maybe you want to know what the story is behind the sneakers you love? Are you interested in shocking records? Do you want to learn inspiring facts from the world of shoes?

You couldn't do better! We've collected the most surprising shoe facts you probably didn't know!

#1 High heels reserved for… men

Almost every woman has a pair of high-heeled shoes in her collection. They perfectly match dresses and skirts, add sex appeal and are the perfect base for women's styling.

You will certainly be surprised by the fact that initially high heels were reserved only for men and were used to... ensure safety while horse riding. The low heel simply made the leg more stable in the stirrup.

Over time, this trend spread among the upper class, becoming an object of desire not only among men, but also women.

Interestingly, historians have proven that the first woman to wear high heels was Catherine de Medici, an Italian princess who lived in the 15th century.

#2 The first shoes ever

Let's go back in time even further to take a look at the first shoes ever made. The oldest shoe found by archaeologists dates back to around 8,000 BC! It was a sandal made of the bark of the cycad, a plant that looks like a palm tree.

Archaeologists, however, believe that the shoes could have been used even earlier. However, the materials used to make them were so unstable that no trace of them was lost forever.

#3 Wedges as a war-time invention

Speaking of history, wedges were invented during World War II. The resulting poverty and shortages in warehouses meant that the Italian designer could not obtain steel to create high heels.

It was then that Salvatore Ferragamo came up with the brilliant idea to experiment with... cork. He attached it to the sole of a woman's shoe, creating the world's first wedges.

#4 From tires to… sneakers

Sneakers were created thanks to an invention from 1839. It was then that the American tire manufacturer - Charles Goodyear - discovered that heated rubber with the addition of sulfur becomes flexible and durable. This resulted in the creation of shoes with rubber soles.

Due to the fact that moving in them was really quiet, they were called "sneakers", which in English refers to sneaking.

#5 The most expensive sneakers in the world

In 2020, at one of the auctions, a bidder broke all previous records and bid for a pair of sneakers for… 560,000 US dollars! 

Best of all, it was initially estimated that the shoes would be sold for between $100,000 and $150,0000, but the original Air Jordan 1 worn during the game by Michael Jordan himself, signed by the basketball star, fetched a much higher amount! 

For comparison, the most expensive shoes in the world were sold for $660,000. It was a pair of ruby ​​red slippers that Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz.

#6 Unequal statistics

Did you know that the average man owns 12 pairs of shoes? For comparison, the average woman's shoe collection consists of as many as 21 pairs.

#7 Record collections

Do you think your significant other has too many shoes? Unless the couples number in the thousands, you can sleep soundly!

One of the most impressive collections belongs to pop icon Céline Dione. The number of shoes she owns is close to 10,000. The star stores her treasures in a special warehouse in Las Vegas.

Attention! Addiction to buying shoes is a real problem. If you have fallen into the trap of shopaholism, contact a specialist who will help you fight your addiction.

#8 One small step for a man…

Neil Armstrong, who landed on the Moon, uttered the famous words after reaching its surface - "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for humanity." Interestingly, the shoes in which he went to the Moon stayed there forever and it was no accident! 

The legendary astronaut's footwear left on the moon was intended to compensate for the extra weight of the lunar rocks that Armstrong took with him back to Earth.

#9 Largest shoe size

Some say size doesn't matter. When it comes to shoes, we absolutely cannot agree with this statement. Robert Wadlow, the tallest known person in history, probably had a similar opinion.

Due to acromegaly, he was 2.72 m tall, and the shoes he wore were size... 71!

#10 Right or left?

According to some kids, it makes no difference whether the left shoe goes on the right foot or vice versa. Shoe manufacturers had a similar opinion before the 19th century. The shoes created at that time were designed to fit both the right and left foot.