Canvas shoes have been loved by people since they were invented. With its simple but stylish design, it is unique among many shoe styles. So, what exactly was the invention of anti-canvas shoes? What’s the story behind this?
The origins of canvas shoes were invented
The origins of canvas shoes can be traced back hundreds of years to the sixteenth century. Its birth is closely connected with the social background at that time. During the Industrial Revolution, the widespread use of machines made this lightweight, wear-resistant canvas material popular. In Europe in the 19th century, this kind of canvas shoes began to become popular among the people. And they were called “canvas rubber-soled shoes” at that time. But at that time, canvas shoes had an obvious flaw. The soles were too soft when the weather was hot in summer and too hard when it was cold in winter.
Improvement of canvas shoes
With the advancement of technology, in 1839, the American inventor Goodyear and many workers created the “rubber vulcanization process”. This is because the hardness of natural rubber increases and at the same time its price decreases. Canvas shoes have gradually entered people’s daily life from the workplace. At the beginning of the 20th century, canvas shoes began to be favored by young people. They are lightweight, breathable and perfect for athleisure. Besides, it shows a casual and free attitude towards life. In the 1960s, cheap and comfortable canvas shoes, like jeans, became a symbol of youth fashion and individuality. Later, designers began to graffiti on canvas shoes, turning canvas shoes from sports equipment into works of art.
Popularity of canvas shoes
In the 1970s and 1980s, due to the boom in various sports events, the popularity of sports shoes gradually replaced canvas shoes. By the beginning of the 21st century, the rising retro craze made canvas shoes popular again. Their colors and styles are rich and diverse. And they have become an important part of street culture. What’s more, they are not limited to canvas materials. Horse hair, leather, suede, corduroy and other materials are used in the production of canvas shoes.
By exploring when canvas shoes were invented, can you understand that their development history is a legendary story? It is easy to find that the birth of every item is closely connected with the background and social needs of its era. The popularity of canvas shoes is a vivid reflection of the changes of the times and the changes in people’s aesthetic concepts.