A brief history of sneakers
A look back at the shoes we've used to get fit, from the first humble pair of Keds to futuristic so-called 'minimal' shoes
1916 U.S. Rubber creates the original sneaker, the athletic shoe it calls Keds.Charla Jones/The Globe and Mail
1917 The Converse Rubber Shoe Company introduces high-top basketball shoes, christened the All Star.Jim Ross
1920 Adolf 'Adi' Dassler begins making shoes. By 1936, his shoes are worn by Jesse Owens. In 1948, Dassler founds Adidas.Ivan Alvarado
1937 PF Flyers (for Posture Foundation) hit the market with an 'action wedge,' which helps distribute weight evenly and reduce leg strain.AP/The Associated Press
1958 Reebok is founded. The company takes its name from an African gazelle.Laura Leyshon
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/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
1991 Reebok releases the Pump, the first shoe to have an inflation mechanism that provides custom cushioning.
2004 Nike creates the Free, the original minimal shoe.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
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
2011 Brooks releases the PureProject, a collection of shoes intended to promote a natural stride.Brooks