Five interesting things about shoes.

April 9, 2010 The Escapist

1. In ancient Egypt, the sandal demonstrated a person’s rank in society. Slaves either went barefoot or wore crude sandals made from palm leaves. Common citizens wore sandals of woven papyrus, consisting of a flat sole tied to the foot by a thong between the toes. But sandals with pointed toes were reserved only for the higher stations of society, and the colors red and yellow were taboo for anyone below the aristocratic rank.

2. Shoes were made over 4000 years ago. Heels were invented in the Middle East to help lift the foot from the burning sand.

3. In the Middle Ages a father passed his authority over his daughter to her husband in a shoe ceremony. At the wedding, the groom handed the bride a shoe, which she put on to show she was then his subject

4. The first lady’s boot was designed for Queen Victoria in 1840 meaning that she was the first lady to wear a boot.

5. In 1927, X-rays were used to help people find a fitting shoe. It was known as the Shoe-Fitting Fluoroscope but was later destroyed due to health hazards.