1957:

Anne Kalso, a young Danish yoga instructor, visits Brazil and is amazed at the upright posture of the local natives. She notices that their footprints leave an unusual impression in the sand in that the heel imprint is deeper than the front of the foot. She connects this with the Yoga Mountain pose, where the foot is flexed and the heel lowered, and believes that walking this way could be beneficial.

1957-1967:

Along with a Portuguese shoe maker, Anne begins to develop a shoe based on this theory and comes up with a sandal which will fulfil all the criteria.

1966:

Anne opens the “Kalso Minus Heel Shoe Store” on Copenhagen.

1969:

A young American couple, visiting Denmark, are so impressed by the Minus Heel Sandals, that they do a deal to sell them in the U.S.A.

1970:

Eleanor and Raymond Jacobs open their shop on the first Earth Day in the States and so decide to call them Earth Shoes.

1970-1977:

Earth Shoes are in huge demand. Franchises spring up everywhere and stores open, but the huge demand cannot be met and Earth shoes are no longer produced.

One pair goes on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Although no more are produced, those who have already bought them are desperate to hunt down any supplies.

1997:

New internet technology allows Earth enthusiasts to search for, and discuss Earth shoes.

2001:

Michel Meynard, a French born American shoe manufacturer is on holiday when he sees a vintage billboard ad featuring a model wearing Earth shoes. He is intrigued and buys the rights to manufacture them. The designs are modernised and materials updated. They are released in a variety of styles.

2003:

The first major collection of Earth Shoes make it onto the catwalk. Designer Kenneth Cole becomes a fan. Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik praises them.

They have been re-invented and revitalised and are now ready to take the world by storm.

2004:

They launch in Europe for the first time and are available to buy on-line. A vegan range is added, certified by the Vegan society.

2005:

Fit Footwear realise the importance of Earth Shoes and open a retail outlet and an online store to help keep pace with the huge demand.

The amazing story continues…