The Unwavering Classic Sandals of 'Birkenstock', Loved by Steve Jobs

The global brand 'Birkenstock' is dedicated to promoting natural walking and safeguarding foot health. The roots of this traditional German brand trace back to shoemaking since 1774. In this article, we'll introduce some of the brand's renowned products that are considered must-haves.

Shoemaking tradition of the Birkenstock family with a history of 250 years

Johannes Birkenstock, the founder of the brand, was documented as a shoemaker in official records dating back to 1774, nearly 250 years ago. Over generations, the family pursued shoemaking until a significant breakthrough occurred in 1902 when Conrad Birkenstock, invented the first flexible insole, a revolutionary foot health aid. This flexible insole, known as the 'footbed,' marked the foundation of Birkenstock's modern offerings. Things eventually evolved until 1963 when Karl Birkenstock, Conrad's grandson, launched the brand's first sandal 'Madrid'.

The 'Footbed' that Revolutionized Footwear

Conrad Birkenstock was the first in the world to invent a flexible insole when the norm was rigid metal or wood. This allowed for a natural rolling motion from the heel to the toes inside the shoe, effectively replicating the human's natural stride. Initially, the flexible insole was made of a combination of card paper and leather materials. At some point, they attempted to integrate cork. However, without natural rubber as an adhesive, lightweight cork could not flex sufficiently and hence was not viable as a primary material. After numerous trials and errors, they finally perfected the 'footbed' using a blend of cork and natural rubber.