William Mathias Scholl was born in La Porte, Indiana as one of 13 children.

While too soft to have much of a corrective effect and difficult to apply, it inspired later steel clip designs.

He bought a building and added to it for manufacturing in Chicago at 213 W. Schiller Street (now renovated as Cobbler Square).

[6] He continued to serve as the company's President and chief executive officer until March 1968, when he was elected Chairman of the Board.

Scholl was also famous for his advertising acumen, direct marketing to shoe stores, and establishment of "Foot Comfort Week.