How Long Have We Had Trainers?
Sneakers - Our Fast Paced Historical Portrait
This article offers a time-line with respect to the invention and background of training shoes.
The actual difference between that which we see today, such as Adidas kids footwear and the shoes we saw in past times is very large. However it has taken a great deal of time to arrive at where we are now.
Firstly a short list of one or two of the more peculiar terms used to refer to such shoes from assorted countries.
- Britain - trainers
- Australia - joggers
- Canada - gutties
- USA - sneakers
- South Africa - torkies
- Wales - daps
- England - plimsoll
- The UK - Trainers
- Australia - Gym shoes
- Canada and Australia - Running shoes
- USA and Australia -Tennis Shoes
- Australia and South Africa - Gym shoes
Today’s training shoe can potentially trace it’s origins back to the 1852 and the new technology of rubber. Without the benefit of rubber there would be no training shoe.
The key events in the history of the training shoe are:
Late 1890s - Reebok was born in Britain.
Mid 1900s - Sports shoes developed for basketball teams by the Spalding company.
1910 - 1919 - The now famous Adidas company was formed in Germany by Adi Dassler. The basketball shoe known as the Converse All Stars comes along.
The 1920-30s period - The decade after the World War One period saw a considerable development in the sales of sports shoes.
1930 - 1939 - Spring Court a French company, markets a tennis shoe with eight ventilation holes.
After the Second World War - Puma is formed by Rudi Dassler, the brother of Adidas founder Adi, after a family feud.
1960 - 1969 - Japanese sports sneakers are imported into the US by the Nike company creators. In 1964 the first all-leather tennis shoe was sold by Adidas. The Puma suede trainer is revealed in 1968.
1970s - Marketing pushes the design and style of sneakers into scores of niches. Shoes for different sporting activities are highly focused..
1980s - Sneakers are entrenched as an every-day item of relaxed clothing. The era of the world wide brands such as Reebok and Nike is born. Fresh markets expand, and bring forth the creation of products such as Adidas mens footwear.
I am hoping this quick review was of interest..