Shoesday Tuesday 2016As I rolled out of bed this morning and tucked my feet into my very warm, very ugly, very old slippers, I wondered who invented these fantastic creations that cuddle your feet and keep them warm.

Just so you know, I am not wearing my slippers to work.  Today I am working from home and slippers are the way to go or to stay, whichever way you look at it.

I did a bit of googling and came up with a potential inventor named Alvin Slipper who possibly invented the slippers or at least the name in 1922.  Further research dates back thousands of years.  I found that the “Paduka” shoe was invented in India and known to be one of the oldest forms of footwear; similar to a flip flop but with raised posts at the front and back.

 
The Japanese also invented the soft sole/indoor shoe back in the 19th century to ensure that foreigners coming into their homes took off their shoes.  In fact, there are some schools in Britain and Asia that still make children take off their shoes and put on soft sole/slippers.  I may start doing that for people coming into my home  🙂

Finally, how about this lovely little story.  Florence Zack Melton a woman born into an incredibly poor family in Philadelphia.  Florence started to work at Woolworths when she was just 13 years old in order to support her family. After working for many years as a merchandiser, Florence went on to invent the foam-soled and washable slipper and made a fortune from sales of over a billion slippers.  Florence died at 95 years old in 2007.

Now, how excited are you about the slipper?  I know I am and I realize I may need a new pair but probably not Paduka(s)!