Geneology Of Heels

1970s

Platform shoes become popular in 1970s and the era of John Travolta’s Cuban-heeled. The 1970s in general were a time of experimentation of drugs, sex and, of course, fashion. Cynicism abounded as various cultures and subcultures vied for public attention. Men as well as women would dress to shock, often wearing platform shoes reminiscent of the ancient kothorni.

The late 18th century
Trend toward lower heels had much to do with the French Revolution. During the revolution, high heels became acquainted with the luxury. As a result, most people wished to avoid a symbol of wealth, which was remarkable in the elimination of heels from the common market for both men and women. In the French Revolution heels become lower than at any time in the 18th century.

1660

In the early 1700s, the heels represented wealth and symbol status for both men and women. France's King Louis XIV (The Sun King) would often wear intricate heels decorated with miniature battle scenes. Called “Louis heels,” they were often as tall as five inches. The king decreed that only nobility could wear heels that were colored red and that no one's heels could be higher than his own.

1533

In 1533, the first women's heel designed to lengthen the legs. They were most notably worn by Catherine d'Medici for her wedding, at age 14, to make her appear two inches taller. Also around this time Mary Tudor began to wear high heels.The high heel may have been invented by Leonardo da Vinci.

Approximate 200 BC

In 200 BC the heel made the way into the world of fashion among Roman actors with the arrival of wood and cork platform soles called kothorni. The kothorni give the advantage of height.

Approximated 4,000 BC, Ancient Egyptian

Some of the earliest pictures of shoes were seen on ancient Egyptian around 4,000 BC. These were pieces of leather laced onto the feet or sandals made of woven rushes. It is thought that Egyptian butchers would wear a heeled shoe to keep their feet away from the gore involved in their job.