Why Are Shoes Called Sneakers? Invented in the United States
Don’t you wonder why sneakers are called sneakers? And with so many big shoe companies around, do you ever wonder who invented the first pair?
Well, I did, so I did some research. Here’s what I found:
The very first rubber-soled shoes, called plimsolls, were developed in the late 1800s in the United States.
The U.S. Rubber Company was the first to receive a license to do a manufacturing process called vulcanization, a necessary step in producing sturdier rubber shoes.
Keds shoes had a soft rubber sole and became known as sneakers as the rubber soles allowed “sneaking around silently”
For a time, the company manufactured its products under 30 different brand names until 1916, when they decided to consolidate and use just one brand name.
The initial plan was to use “peds”, which is Latin for foot, but they decided to use Keds, which sounded stronger and better.
Keds shoes were first marketed as canvas top “sneakers”. Now the term “sneakers” was thought up by an advertising agent named Henry Nelson McKinney, mainly because the rubber soles of the shoes made no sound when walking, allowing one to “sneak like a thief”.
Check out these really old Keds ads:
Keds advertisement from June 1930
Keds became really popular among females in the 1980s when it was hot to wear them with slouch socks, leg warmers, or tights.
Keds advertisement from 1939
However, the popularity of Keds simmered down in the 1990s as a lot of other shoe companies started sprouting.
Keds advertisement from 1953
Today, Keds is still alive, breathing, and well-resurrected, thanks to a stronger and more effective advertising campaign that uses popular Hollywood celebrities like Amanda Seyfried and Taylor Swift.
Such celebrities have been quite instrumental in helping Keds gain back its customers, mainly the young female market.
A pair of Keds sneakers is like an LBD or a white tank. Every girl must have at least one pair in her closet. They are not just a pair of shoes, but classic and core items.
How Celebrities Wear Sneakers
The Best Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress for Any Occasion
Karl Lagerfeld said it best: “One is never overdressed or underdressed with a little black dress.” Whether you’re headed on…
The 10 Must-Have Christian Louboutin Shoes for 2023
No shoe is as recognizable as the signature red bottom heel. Christian Louboutin remains the ‘it’ brand for luxury shoes,…
2023’s Top Picks: The 6 Best Running Shoes for High Arches
Every runner is only as good as their shoes. Finding the perfect fit isn’t always easy – especially if you…
13 Stylish White Sneakers That Will Boost Your Style
White sneakers are a timeless trend that works with almost any outfit. The trends point to comfort over aesthetics, with…
9 Women’s Shoes That Go With Everything: The Best Versatile Styles
Our shoes are usually the last piece of an outfit. Some of us are guilty of grabbing the first pair…
Olivia Wilde Reunites With Ex Jason Sudeikis at Son’s Football After Emily Ratajkowski Admits Feeling Bad About Harry Styles Kiss
They ended their engagement in 2020 after nine years of dating. But on Saturday, despite their ongoing custody battle over…
10 Alternative Wedding Shoes Perfect for the Modern Bride
Your wedding dress is stressful enough without pinching your feet into high heel shoes. It’s why brides are searching for…
10 Must-Have Spring/Summer 2023 Shoe Trends
Spring/Summer 2023 is proof that trends will always come back. It’s the perfect time to invest in a signature shoe…
Gigi Hadid Heads to Disney World in Springtime Outfits for 28th Birthday Celebration
Gigi Hadid celebrated her 28th birthday with a fun-filled trip to Disney World in Florida over the weekend. She was…
Sofia Vergara Rocks Her Signature Style With Walmart’s Sofia Jeans
She’s known for rocking jeans that accentuate her hourglass curves. And for last week’s America’s Got Talent Season 18 taping,…
Vintage Inspiration: 10 Best Women’s Retro Sneakers to Buy Today
Sneakers are a style trend that will never die. While sneakers made their way back into mainstream fashion thanks to…
Christian Louboutin Unveils LoubiFamily Collection: See the Most Noteworthy Pieces
In late 2022, Christian Louboutin debuted its newest line of merchandise: the LoubiFamily Collection. This collection features items for the…
ASH: French Luxury Meets Italian Craftsmanship in Fusion of Elegance and Quality
France and Italy are two powerhouses in the footwear industry. What happens when you add a French flair to Italian…
Sofia Vergara’s Top 7 Fashionable Moments on America’s Got Talent Season 18
Sofia Vergara continues to slay the fashion game. She’s often seen in showstopping outfits highlighting her famous hourglass figure, and…
Why Nude Shoes Are Must-Haves for Every Woman’s Closet: Exploring the Versatility and Timeless Appeal
Every woman should have a few pairs of shoes in her closet, and at the top is a pair of…
Serena Williams and Alessandra Ambrosio Glam Up at Michelob ULTRA x Netflix Full Swing Premiere and Super Bowl After Party
Super Bowl weekend is known for more than just the big game itself. It’s also a time when many high-profile…
The Top 8 Trending Shoe Styles for 2023: Stay Ahead of the Fashion Curve
A new year brings with it resolutions and a change in the air. You might be thinking of shaking up…
How Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner Elevate Workout Looks With Leather Jackets
Longtime best friends Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber are starting the new year by showing us how incorporating a leather…
Dad Sneakers: The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Chunky Shoes
If there’s one sneaker that defied the odds of fashion, it’s the dad sneaker. Originally worn by suburban dads (who…
Chunky Sneakers: The Must-Have Shoe Trend for 2023
Chunky sneakers are one staple you need in your closet. They jumped back into the fashion scene in 2017 and…