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The Earth Shoe (also known as the Kalsø Earth Shoe) was an unconventional style of shoe invented circa 1957 by Danish yoga instructor and shoe designer Anna Kalsø.[1][2] Its unique "negative heel technology"[citation needed] design featured a sole that was thinner at the heel than at the forefoot, so that when wearing them, one walked heel downward, as when walking in sand, with various claimed health benefits.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/BX1_Ecuador_Earth_shoes_at_Rio_Misahuall%C3%AD%2C_February_1985.jpg/220px-BX1_Ecuador_Earth_shoes_at_Rio_Misahuall%C3%AD%2C_February_1985.jpg)
In 1970, Raymond and Eleanor Jacobs founded the Earth Shoe company in the United States, after discovering Anna Kalsø and her negative-heel shoes in Copenhagen, Denmark.[3] The shoes were introduced in New York City on April 1, 1970, three weeks before the first Earth Day.[1] The shoes quickly became a popular countercultural symbol of the 1970s. The company expanded to 123 stores to sell the shoes, boots, and sandals, all with the negative-heel design, across the United States, Canada, and Europe.[3][4][5][6] The shoes surged in popularity and were prominently featured on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and in Time magazine.[citation needed] Soon, other firms, including Roots Canada, also marketed similar negative-heel shoes. Experts expressed varying opinions on whether the shoes were good or bad for one's feet.[7]
By 1976 sales had grown to $14 million,[8] but the company dissolved in 1977.[3] When the manufacturer of Kalsø Earth Shoes was unable to keep up with demand, franchise owners pursued litigation against the United States distributor.[citation needed] In 2001, Kalsø Earth Shoes re-surfaced after the rights to the name, technology and branded properties were purchased by Meynard Designs, Inc.[citation needed] Subsequent reorganization of Meynard Designs led to the creation of Earth, Inc., as the manufacturing and marketing entity for Kalsø Earth Shoes.[1] They are not to be confused with the Earth Spirit shoe brand sold by Walmart, and others.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Earth, Kalsø, Denmark 1957". Earth, Inc. 2010. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ Bathroom Reader's Institute (1999). Uncle John's Legendary Lost Bathroom Reader. Bathroom Readers' Press. p. 374.
- ^ a b c "Raymond Jacobs, 69, Co-Founder Of Earth Shoe Company in 1970's". The New York Times. March 20, 1993. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ Taylor, Angela (February 25, 1974). "Shoes That Make You Waddle Like a Duck—And They Sell". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ "Shoes With an Earthly Appearance". Newsday. September 9, 1974.
- ^ "All about why there aren't any heels". The Baltimore Sun. December 9, 1975.
- ^ Brozan, Nadine (March 3, 1975). "The Negative‐Heel Shoe‐‐‐Pro and Con". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ "Down At The Heels, But Fat In The Pocketbook". Forbes. November 15, 1976.
- ^ "Earth Spirit(13)". Walmart. 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
External links
editReferences in Media
editNight Court S9 E19: P.S. Do I Know You? (March 4, 1992) Roz's penpal "Alex" laments having invested in "Earth Shoes."