Shoemakers are individuals who design and construct shoes in the traditional manner. The majority of the work is done hand with a variety of specialized tools. For thousands of years, footwear has been an essential part of fully outfitting humans. As a result, the art has evolved significantly over time.
The various types of footwear created a shoemaker are highly dependent on the location of the professional and the skills he or she possesses. Boots, clogs, sandals, moccasins, and basic shoe designs are examples of footwear. Traditionally, a shoe maker would construct the shoe out of leather or wood, but modern artisans have added rubber and plastic to the designs.
A shoe is divided into sections, each of which is made separately and then put together to form a complete piece. The sole is the part of the shoe that sits at the bottom. It can be made of a variety of harder materials and typically has multiple layers of padding for added comfort. In the case of a sandal, the upper portion of the shoe can be as simple as a small piece of leather or cloth, or as elaborate as a piece that covers the entire foot, ankle, and more. For added comfort and tightness, shoes and boots will have a tongue that can be pulled and adjusted with laces or Velcro®.
To help perfect the design of the shoe, a shoemaker will use a variety of tools. The base item is referred to as a last. A foot sculpture is a piece of iron, wood, or plastic shaped to resemble a person’s foot. This device will be used shoemakers to construct the shoe, binding the sole, upper, and tongue together around the last. Lasts come in a variety of shapes and sizes to assist the shoemaker in creating shoes that fit different people.
The earliest shoes, according to anthropologists, were discovered in Oregon, United States, around 8000 BCE. With a better understanding of the foot’s structure, the idea of actual shoe makers as a profession is thought to have started around 1000 BCE. The profession grew in popularity and status throughout the Middle Ages, eventually becoming an integral part of society. Shoemakers were even given a patron saint, Saint Crispin, and became the subject of numerous popular culture stories, including the story of the shoemaker’s elves, over the years. Shoemaking’s popularity dwindled during the twentieth century as the industry became more industrialized. Many shoemakers now also work in the shoe repair industry.