1916
U.S. Rubber creates the original sneaker, the athletic shoe it calls Keds. (Charla Jones/Charla Jones/The Globe and Mail)
1917
The Converse Rubber Shoe Company introduces high-top basketball shoes, christened the All Star. (Jim Ross/Jim Ross for The Globe and Mail)
1920
Adolf 'Adi' Dassler begins making shoes. By 1936, his shoes are worn by Jesse Owens. In 1948, Dassler founds Adidas. (Ivan Alvarado/Ivan Alvarado/Reuters)
1937
PF Flyers (for Posture Foundation) hit the market with an 'action wedge,' which helps distribute weight evenly and reduce leg strain. (AP/AP)
1958
Reebok is founded. The company takes its name from an African gazelle. (Laura Leyshon/Laura Leyshon for The Globe and Mail)
1960
New Balance releases the Trackster. It is the first running shoe to be offered in multiple widths. The brand continues to evolve over the years. (Deborah Baic/Deborah Baic/The Globe and Mail)
1970 (circa)
Legendary University of Oregon coach - and Nike co-founder - Bill Bowerman uses the waffle iron in his kitchen to create a tread on the bottom of racing flats, launching a shoe empire. (John Raoux/John Raoux/AP)
1991
Reebok releases the Pump, the first shoe to have an inflation mechanism that provides custom cushioning. (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe)
2004
Nike creates the Free, the original minimal shoe. (Fred Lum/Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)
2005
Vibram releases the FiveFingers, with individual sections for each toe, forever changing the way the world looks at shoes.
2006
Nike releases the Air Max 360, the first shoe with a foamless midsole. (David Zalubowski/David Zalubowski/AP)
2006
Nike introduces the Air Zoom, a running shoe designed to talk to Apple's iPod nano, relaying information about time, distance, calories burned and pace. (MARY ALTAFFER/Mary Altaffer/AP)
2011
Brooks releases the PureProject, a collection of shoes intended to promote a natural stride. (Brooks/Brooks)
to get it and come back to see the ad in front of this gallery.
