History of Footwear

History of Footwear

Footwear is estimated to have started its long history of human use during the ice age some 5 million years ago. Unkind weather conditions are said to have created the necessity of the footwear. Other evidences show that footwear came to use at the end of Paleolithic period, at about the same time the early human learned the art of leather training.

Early pieces of footwear were made of wrappings, usually made of leather or dried grasses. Later on pieces of footwear were developed for an oval piece of leather which is bound by a piece of strong leather throngs. Sandals which are first crafted footwear are the successors to these wrappings.

Footwear items come from a wide range of materials including leather, rubber, canvass, wood, and plastic. But early pieces were made from available materials like straw, leather, cowhide, and grasses.
When footwear is assembled, the main components are adhesives, cushion, counterfort, heel, hook, insole, laces, sole, steel shank, tack, toe puff, tread, and welt. Generally, footwear is classified into: boots, industrial footwear, shoes, and sandals.
Calicut as an Emerging Footwear Hub

Calicut district is emerging as a major centre in the manufacture of rubber and PVC-based footwear with the induction of state of the art technology and value- added products by unit holders in the industry.

Though often behind their competitors in Delhi and Punjab, often regarded as the headquarters of footwear trade, manufactures here have been quick to catch up with modern techniques and install the latest machinery.

With an eye on the international market, especially through West Asian countries, manufacturers are optimistic of being able to corners at least a small chunk of the trade that is now the hegemony of China. (China accounts for 60 % of world’s footwear trade and India, 6 %).

Present Scenario

Now-a-days footwear has become as absolute necessity rather than fashion for civilized people. The demand for footwear is increasing day by day. Depending on the purchasing power different classes of people use different type and quality of footwear. The middle and lower level income group prefer low cost, durable, wear and tear resistant footwear which can be used in all climatic condition. PU footwear emerges as the obvious choice which satisfies the entire above requirement. The increasing popularity of PU chappal in Kerala and other parts of the country is assuming good demand for the product in future.