We can thank Charles Goodyear for his perseverance. In 1844, after years of experimentation, Charles Goodyear finally invented the process of heating natural rubber mixed with sulfur to create shoe rubber.He called it vulcanization, and this is still how we make shoe rubber today. With […]
The Shoe Development Process Once the design concept has been selected and refined, it is time to turn the drawings into a new sneaker. This is when the footwear developer joins the designer to move the project forward. The developer is an experienced technician that […]
Shoe Outsole Tooling: A factory photo tour This is what shoe outsole tooling looks like at the shoe factory.
Italian High Quality Shoes Handmade in China Can high quality handcrafted shoes be made in China? Yes! The modern shoemaking trades have been thriving in China for more than 30 years. Shoemaking is a mature industry in China and there are thousands of skilled shoemakers with […]
Picking Shoe Materials from Local Markets In the major shoe making centers in China you will find thriving local markets for shoe materials. The local markets are store fronts large and small with every type of shoe material, shoe component and manufacturing equipment available. You will find […]
A Day in the Life of a Shoe Designer Lucky for us there is no “normal” day for a shoe designer! The daily life of a shoe designer may be different every day! For a footwear designer every day will present a new challenge, almost […]
Shoe Construction Techniques There are many shoe construction methods from which a shoe designer can choose. Depending on the function and style of your shoe design, you have many options for connecting the upper to the outsole unit. The classic Goodyear welt, the heavy-duty Norwegian […]
Shoe Design Book Reviews: I’ve read a great many shoe design books, so I would like you to see what is out there and available. I have picked a selection of shoe trade books on shoe design, manufacturing, and engineering. Here is a list of […]