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Shoe Formed
Wait Webster patented a process where a rubber soles could be attached to leather shoes and boots. This led to the creation of Plimsolls, which were widely worn by children. https://runningtortoiseandhare.wordpress.com/running-shoes/history-of-running-shoes/ -
Vulcanization
Vulcanization is the process of melting rubber and fabric together. This was discovered by Charles Goodyear. This molten mixture was then molded to create a sole for shoes that had a tread design. This design revolution made shoes lightweight, quiet, and flexible. https://runningtortoiseandhare.wordpress.com/running-shoes/history-of-running-shoes/ -
Focus on Running
The father of the modern running shoe was Adolf Dassler who began making shoes in 1920. Each shoe design had a special hand made set of running spikes and each design was made especially for a certain running distance. This was the first time designs were focused on whether the runner was a sprinter or a long-distance runner. https://runningtortoiseandhare.wordpress.com/running-shoes/history-of-running-shoes/ -
New Material
After the war years they continued to progress and developed the training shoe made from surplus tent canvas and rubber from fuel tanks. In 1948 he founded Addas but the company was soon to split into Addas (later known asAdidas) and Puma. To give support to the running shoe Dassler added three side strips to the shoe which first appeared in 1949. https://runningtortoiseandhare.wordpress.com/running-shoes/history-of-running-shoes/ -
Waffle Sole
The first big innovation for Nike came in 1972 when Bowerman poured rubber into a waffle iron in his kitchen. This was the birth of the waffle sole as well as the best selling running shoe in the country. https://runningtortoiseandhare.wordpress.com/running-shoes/history-of-running-shoes/ -
Air-cushioned
NASA was not only making strides for the space program during the late 20th century, but was also working with Nike to develop the first air cushioned athletic shoe. Frank Rudy from NASA brought the idea of bags filled with pressurized gas that compress under impact to Nike. The bags absorb shock and cushion the foot. https://runningtortoiseandhare.wordpress.com/running-shoes/history-of-running-shoes/ -
Women's Shoes
A running shoe is developed specifically for the female foot shape by multiple companies. These shoes had a slimmer fit and contoured to the high arch the female foot has. -
Pedometer
Adidas Micro-pacer develops a shoe with a pedometer built into the tongue of the shoe. This was the first time shoes had electronic devices put into them http://sneakernews.com/tag/adidas-micropacer/ -
First Nike Free
After a Nike representative observed barefoot runners they developed a shoe that have different levels of cushioning to provide a barefoot feel. This allowed more free movement and freedom when running. http://niketalk.com/t/646624/nike-trainers-thread -
Toe-Seperations
First shoe with five toe compartments by Vibram FiveFingers. Marketed that they were a minimalist option for a more natural alternative to the basic running shoe. It was also marketed as a safer alternative than going barefoot on watercrafts. http://us.vibram.com/
