Learn how running shoes evolved throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Having a shoe designed specifically for running seems like a no brainer, however, running shoes really didn't get their start until the end of the 19th century. They then slowly evolved over the 20th century, leading to the huge explosion of running shoe technology and design options that are currently available. It is hard to believe that if running shoes had not been developed, we would be running in the flat soled tennis shoes.

The Birth of the Running Shoe

Running footwear had been almost non-existent prior to the late 19th century. In fact, many people ran in whatever footwear they had, including boots and sandals. However, in the 1890s the shoe manufacturer JW Foster and Sons, which eventually became the shoe company Reebok, developed the first official modern running shoe. This shoe had a tennis shoe outer with a lacing system and metal spikes attached to the sole of the shoe. The spikes were designed to give the runner traction and to help improve their overall running speed.

The Running Shoe Evolves in the 20th Century

By the early part of the 20th century, vulcanization revolutionized shoe manufacturing. Vulcanization was simply the process of melting rubber and fabric together. This molten mixture was then molded to create a sole for shoes that had a tread design. This design revolution made shoes lightweight, quiet, and flexible. It also provided the wearer with traction. Keds was the first American company to mass distribute the new "sneakers" starting in 1917.

In 1925 a German inventor named Adi Dassler, who founded Adidas, evolved the spiked running shoe design further by creating a series of running shoes. Each shoe design had a special hand forged set of running spikes and each design was made especially for a certain running distance. This was the first time designs were focused on whether the runner was a sprinter or a long-distance runner.

During the 1970s running shoes were designed based not only on the type of running the person did, but the running style the runner had. The three running styles that shoes were designed for included neutral runners, supernation runners and pronation runners. The final advancement that running shoes received during the 1970s was the use of ethylene vinyl acetate, also referred to as EVA. This material added an air cushion to the design of a running shoe providing runners with extra cushion and shock absorption when they ran.

A look at the helpful features that make walking shoes comfortable -- and supportive.

With summer here, people's thoughts turn to the outdoors -- mine included. Taking walks with my son is one of the things I love to do during the summer. Walking is enjoyable, I get to stop and visit with my neighbors and it is good exercise. Indeed, for those first starting an exercise program, walking is considered a good way to start.

But walking can get old pretty fast without the right shoes. Regular walking puts stress on the foot and on your other joints, and it can result in blisters and calluses. The proper shoes, though, can solve most of these problems. When considering your walking shoes, think about these parts of the shoe, and what they do:

Achilles notch. This is a sort of dip at the top of the back of the shoe. It is designed to reduce stress on the Achilles tendon, creating increased comfort, and allowing you to do more walking.

Ankle collar. Around the top of the back part of the shoe is a line of cushioning known as the ankle collar. This supports the ankle, and it helps stabilize you as you walk. It also contributes to a proper fit.

Upper. Look for an upper (the part of the shoe that goes over your foot) made with mesh on the inside. This helps ventilate your foot and keep it from getting sweaty as you walk. New technology makes the upper more breathable, while still being sturdy and protecting.

Toe box. This is the area that houses the toes. Look for one that is roomy, and that has a round shape. Make sure that your toes aren't squished together. A comfortable toe box can prevent blisters and chafing.

Soles. The soles are general divided into outsole and midsole. The outsole is the part you see on the bottom of your shoe. This provides traction and is usually made of sturdy materials with a slight give. The midsole is the part between the outsole and where your foot rests in the shoe. Often, there is a gel pad to further cushion your foot and reduce impact with the ground. You can also get removable insoles that provide further shock protection and cushioning.

Roll bar. This is part of the walking shoe that stabilizes the foot. It keeps the ankle and foot from rolling to the outside or inside, and plays a part in preventing injury.

Explore how your running shoes are constructed

Running shoes - the foundation or damnation of a running career. There are hundreds of different running shoes on the market and each one offers a unique design and targets a specific type of runner. Properly designed running shoes will respond to your foot shape, pronation tendencies and running technique in a manner that keeps your feet stable and your joints protected from excessive jarring. Improperly designed running shoes will do little for you, and in some cases could actually cause you to develop a running injury. Before you buy your next pair of running shoes learn how they are constructed and what the latest shoe technology can offer you.

Your Gait Cycle

The way you run, or the way you progress through your gait cycle, impacts what type of running shoe will work best for you. It is difficult to judge your gait cycle style without a third party watching you or without the use of a video device. What you will want to look for is how your arch shape and pronation style affects your body position when you run. For example, a "normal" gait cycle will include landing on your heel, rotating forward toward your toes, slightly pronating and then pushing off.

Pronation is basically just the angling of your heel bone inward. A little pronation is expected. However, overpronating (rotating the heels excessively so the knees point inward), or supinating (rotating the heels excessively so the knees point outward) are not "normal" body mechanics and they can lead to injuries.

Shoe Construction

Almost every shoe is made up of an upper and a sole. The sole is the foundation of the shoe. The sole has two main functions, to provide a protective barrier between your foot and the pavement and to provide your feet with a little bit of cushion. Each sole has about three layers. The outersole is made up of a rubber like material that is hard and has a tread. The midsole is the key to your shoe's design, and it is where shoe design technology comes into play. The midsole's design is going to determine what the shoe is good for. For example, it can be designed to provide maximum cushion, it can be designed to correct pronation problems or it can be designed to handle the extra support needs of larger runners.

The second part of a running shoe's construction is its upper. While a visually important element of your shoe, its design is less important than the sole's design. However, it will provide your feet with some support and stability.

A third part of a running shoe is the sockliner. High end sockliners are particularly useful for runners. They provide an extra layer of cushion and can even help to support high arches. Another great feature of sockliners is that they are removable. This allows you to wash them occasionally and keep your shoes from stinking or growing legs of their own.

Shoe Technology

If you have overpronation problems, then there are three shoe construction technologies that you will want to look into. The first is the crumple zone. This helps your overpronation by separating the midsoles from the lateral heel. A medial post, which is an extra dense and stiff foam block that is position on the medial side of your foot, is another construction advancement that can help you if you overpronate while running. This helps to stabilize your foot and keeps it from rocking to the medial side. The final technology that you can look for in a shoe design is a midfoot shank. This is a semi-rigid shank that is located in the middle of your shoe. Again, it is designed to stop your foot from rotating while you walk or run.