10 Cool Things You Didn't Know About Dr. Martens

It's a boot time.

1. They've been around for more than fifty years.

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The first official Dr. Martens boots rolled out on April 1, 1960.

2. The shoes were invented by a German doctor during World War II in 1945.

Via wysokieobcasy.pl

The doctor, Klaus Mäertens, came up with the shoes after being injured while skiing and in response to his military boots being "too uncomfortable on his injured foot." He then partnered with British shoe makers R. Griggs Group Ltd., who changed the name to Dr. Martens and also added the yellow stitching.

3. The shoes were originally intended for the working class, which eventually led them to be a staple of the skinhead look.

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It also became a staple of the punk look, the goth look, the grunge look, etc. If you are young and angry then these are the shoes for you!

4. The boot's popularity can be attributed to The Who's Pete Townshend.

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According to The Guardian, Townshend donned the boots circa 1966 because, "I was sick of dressing up as a Christmas tree in flowing robes that got in the way of my guitar playing... so I thought I'd move on to utility wear."

5. Their "Bouncing Soles" are "resistant to Oil, Fat, Acid Petrol and Alkali."

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And super comfortable, IMO.

6. A whole song was dedicated to them on the cult classic British show, The Young Ones.

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7. Daria and Jane wore them.

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Know who didn't? Quinn, that's who.

8. Pope John Paul II had a custom white pair made for himself.

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"These boots are made for prayin', and that's just what they'll do..."

9. In 2003, all production was moved to China and Thailand due to declining sales.

en.wikipedia.org

en.wikipedia.org

With the Chinese and Thai versions obviously excluding the famous "Made in England" stamp on the bottom of the sole.

10. However, in 2004 their Cobb's Lane factory began making shoes again and is responsible for their Made in England line to this day.

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The shoes from this factory are the only Dr. Martens that are actually made in England. Yeah, they'll set you back a pretty penny (around $200) but they are handmade to "original specifications" and will last for years to come. Anyone have $200 I can borrow?