All About Shoes
by Kerry Cordy
If you are working on your Shoes Badge through either the Frontier Girls or Quest Program or just love a great pair of shoes, read on.
The History of Shoes
Shoes change over time as technology advances and fashion taste evolve. You won’t believe some the of crazy styles that have been popular throughout the world over the centuries. While many shoes were developed for practical uses, just as many are pure fashion! Check out the blog post from AllThatsInteresting.com that not only teaches you the history of shoes, but has some amazing photos of shoes over the centuries as well.
Find out the history of your favorite shoes and create a timeline of how they have changed over time. For example the two articles below show the history of Vans and Nike. What is your favorite shoe brand?
Great history and timeline of Vans sneakers
Maybe you don’t have a favorite brand, but are interested in the history of a particular style like high heels. Did you know high heels were originally designed for men to make them taller and more formidable?
How Are Shoes Made?
How are shoes made? Making an athletic shoe is much different than making a pair of wingtips or a pair of high heels. The following Youtube videos are great virtual field trips for finding out how different types of shoes are made. See the difference in how a Vans sneaker is made compared to a custom pair of Italian leather dress shoes.
How Vans Makes Its Iconic Sneakers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R-BD2DY46I
How Bespoke Italian Leather Shoes Are Made
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITiyKmYnL-0
How to make your own shoes using your feet as the forms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8RMcXhw40c
Design Your Own Shoes
Now that you have learned a bit about different types of shoes, their history and how they are made, try designing a pair of your own. Will you design fancy heels? Custom sneakers or athletic shoes? Maybe a comfy pair of slippers? Get creative. Visit the Virtual Shoe Museum to get inspiration. As you can see from the COVID 19 shoes, you can be inspired by just about anything around you. These shoes are wearable and made from recycled telephone wires.
How Many Different Types of Shoes Are There?
Why do we wear shoes and why are there so many different types? Look through your shoes and describe what each pair is for. Learn to identify as many types of shoes as you can. 7ESL has a great illustrated chart of of different types of shoes.
Enchanted Learning has put together a huge vocabulary list of shoe types. How many can you identify?
How Do Shoes Effect Your Health?
How To Make Your Own Shoes
