The history of sports footwear in the 20th century

Modern sneakers as we know them today have a long history. England faced an increasing popularity of running in the 18th century. Consequently an all leather spiked shoe was introduced to the public, the first light weight sports footwear there was. Even back then the leather fitted good to the foot but the problem was with sneakers resistance to water - it was non-existent at the time. Wait Webster made a patent of a process in which he applied robber soles to the shoes and boots. The next step in developing modern sports footwear was made when in the 1860's a croquet shoe was marketed. The name sneakers appeared for the first time here - because the shoes were now so noiseless they were worn by sneak thieves. At this stage of development, laces were introduced to the athletic footwear for the first time. In the end of nineteenth and in the beginning of the twentieth century plimsols and special heelless shoes for cyclists were introduced to public. The latter were widely advertised. First athletic footwear with spikes for the use of running was developed in 1852. By the end of the century three grades of these kind of sports footwear was already available. The time for the first athletic footwear company has arrived - Joseph William Foster founded the first company in Bolton, UK.