The History of Flip-Flops

The use of footwear can be traced back to the icepapyrus and palm fiber. Egyptian women decorated
age, about 5 million years ago. People, especiallytheir footwear with precious stones and jewels.
travelers, needed something to protect their feet inMaterial evidence shows that the Greeks took great
harsh weather conditions. Some other reports indicatecare of their feet. They wore a variety of footwear
that footwear was used at the end of the Paleolithicfor different activities. Greek women wore sandals to
period, when early humans learned the art of leathersignify their social class. Their footwear personified
tanning. The footwear during this period was in thebeauty, grace, modification and lavishness.
form of wraps made from leather or grass. Eventually,The Romans created durable, leather thongs. These
the idea to shield the feet evolved into oval pieces ofenabled them to travel by foot comfortably. The early
leather bound by a piece of strong leather thongs. Thisflip-flops were made from materials like straw, leather,
gave way to the flip-flop or sandal, believed to be thecowhide and grass. In the early civilizations, footwear
first crafted footwear.was used to indicate the social status. They were
Evidence from Egyptian funeral hall paintings illustratesworn for both protection and hygiene.
the different stages in the preparation of leatherFlip-flops are now made from materials like leather,
footwear. During this time in Egypt, footwear depictedrubber, canvas, wood and plastic. They, as well as
power and class. The Pharaohs' sandals had a peculiarmost footwear, are considered an extension of the
style of turned up toes, a feature not found in commonpersonality. They are designed for adults and children
footwear. Egyptian sandals were made from straw,who can wear them at the beach or at parties.