by Cameron Kippen

Evolution

The unique features of the human foot namely, heel, inside arch, and big toe have according to anthropologists made upright posture possible. Standing on two feet allowed hands to develop and some authorities consider this was the reason why the human brain became more complex. The expansion and elaboration of the brain certainly followed the development of the foot by several million years. Bipedal stance has influenced the anatomical development of buttocks and bosoms; legs and thighs, as well as tummies and hips The foot has played a major role in the evolution and development of other erogenous features of the human body. Singularly we remain the only species to be able to copulate standing up and facing each other. Sigmund Freud, considered the development of upright stance led to display the primary and secondary sexual characteristics. Humans had no need to develop a sense of smell because there were greater benefits in perfecting sight. Later, Wilder Penfield, twentieth century, neuro-surgeon identified the parts of the brain responsible for organsmic activity, lay in close juxtaposition to the section responsible for feet. Thereby establishing a strong relationship to support claims of erotic association. Anatomically the foot is one of the most innervated parts of the body and as tactile as the hands. No surprise therefore many people enjoy the sensual aspects of the feet in both pain and pleasure.

Early Foot Coverings

Scientists estimate the first shoes were made from animal skins during the Ice Age (5000,000 years ago). Inclement weather in the Northern Hemisphere has lent many historians to believe the need for foot protection. The biggest find of shoes from this period is thought to date back to 8000 BC and belonged to Native Americans in Missouri. From the examples discovered there were evidence of left and right shoes. Primitive shoes dating back to 3300BC were found on the Ice Man, discovered in the French Alps. According to (Spindler, 1993) the Neolithic herdsman of 3000 BC wore shoes on both feet similar to the footwear of the Laplanders. Each shoe consisted of an oval piece of leather with the edges turned up and bound with strong leather thongs.  The material used was leather not fur and the soles were made from cowhide. Attached to the thongs was a net, knotted from grasscords to cover the instep and heel. Shoes were filled with grass to keep the feet warm. Boot leggings of fur were attatched to leather soles and worn to protect against the weather. The boots were tied around the ankle with grass cords.Rough shoes protected the feet of Stone Age people from rocks and thorns. Sandals are believed to be the first crafted foot coverings, the successors to primitive wrappings. The design was both simple and practical. A stiff sole for protection was attached to the foot, usually with straps or thongs. The soles were made from almost anything that was at hand. Slate cosmetics tablets of Pharaoh Narmer (3000 BC) depict the Pharaoh followed by a slave bearing his sandals. The image suggests that in ancient Egypt the sandal was a sign of power and rank. The sandals were initially made from a footprint in wet sand. Braided papyrus was then moulded into soles and the sandals often had turned up toes. Sometimes the instep of the sandal was decorated with figures of men defeated in battle. The difference between the commoner’s sandal and the Pharaoh’s sandal was a peaked toe. This ostentatious extension had no function but merely denoted a person of high born status and historians believe this was the influence of Hittie (1280 BC). Soles were dyed and the sandals were made to accommodate right and left fittings. Egyptian women would adorn their sandals with jewels. Australian Aboriginal people wore rough sandals but only the central tribes were known to do so. The vast majority went unshod. Ceremonial shoes made from emu feathers were worn on special occassions by some members of the tribe.

Reprinted by permission, Cameron Kippen

This is a reprint from a series entitled ,  The History of Foot Wear.  Department of Podiatry, Curtin University of Technolgy.  Perth, Western Australia.