Shoemaking

[2] Traditional handicraft shoemaking has now been largely superseded in volume of shoes produced by industrial mass production of footwear, but not necessarily in quality, attention to detail, or craftsmanship.

[4] Shoemakers may produce a range of footwear items, including shoes, boots, sandals, clogs and moccasins.

The sole and heel were made from one piece of maple or ash two-inches thick, and a little longer and broader than the desired size of shoe.

Clogs were of great advantage to workers in muddy and damp conditions, keeping the feet dry and comfortable.

[5] The traditional shoemaker would measure the feet and cut out upper leathers according to the required size.

Despite the obvious economic gains of mass production, the factory system produced shoes without the individual differentiation that the traditional shoemaker was able to provide.

In 1812 he devised a scheme for making nailed-boot-making machinery that automatically fastened soles to uppers by means of metallic pins or nails.

[6] With the support of the Duke of York, the shoes were manufactured, and, due to their strength, cheapness, and durability, were introduced for the use of the army.

Brunel's system was described by Sir Richard Phillips as a visitor to his factory in Battersea as follows: However, when the war ended in 1815, manual labour became much cheaper, and the demand for military equipment subsided.

[6] Similar exigencies at the time of the Crimean War stimulated a renewed interest in methods of mechanization and mass-production, which proved longer-lasting.

By the late 1850s, the industry was beginning to shift towards the modern factory, mainly in the US and areas of England.

[9] As bottlenecks opened up in the production line due to these innovations, more and more of the manufacturing stages, such as pegging and finishing, became automated.

A process for manufacturing stitchless, that is, glued, shoes—AGO—was developed in 1910.Traditional shoemakers still exist today, especially in poorer parts of the world, and create custom shoes.

Current crafters, in developing regions or supply constrained areas may use surplus car or truck tire tread sections as an inexpensive and plentiful material resource with which to make strong soles for shoes or sandals.

In addition, shoe stores may provide clothing and fashion accessories, such as handbags, sunglasses, backpacks, socks, and hosiery.