For many of us, when we see a sign on the street that says ‘flip flops for sale’, we quickly get sidetracked, eager to see what ‘this’ season’s color or finish will be available on our beloved flip flops. There are now so many colours, metallic finishes, wedges, platforms and patterns available that for many of us flip flops are ‘the’ shoe of the summer season and since they are relatively inexpensive we never tire of them. !

But where did these sandals come from and how and when did they become so popular? Below I have listed some interesting facts about flip flops that you never knew.

1. They are the oldest form of footwear. There are images of cave paintings of prehistoric men wearing a kind of thong!
2. There is evidence of this form of sandals as an item of footwear in most civilizations. However, the curious thing is that different civilizations often used different fingers for the strap… The Greeks, for example, used the big toe; the Romans, the second toe; and the Mespotans, the third toe!
3. They were known as Flip Flaps until the 1960s.
4. In America, they first began to appear after World War II when soldiers brought back Japanese ‘zori’ (their word for flip-flops) from the war, as souvenirs.
5. They became popular in the US after the Korean War of the 1950’s and were made from cheap rubber that caused terrible blisters!
6. As popular culture took hold, they were made from better rubber materials and became available in bright colors. They were seen as ‘the’ footwear for a relaxed lifestyle near the beach. Later they were adopted by hippies.
7. As inexpensive footwear, children soon began wearing them to the pool and on vacation in bright colors with flowers and patterns adorning them.
8. In the 1990s, with a more relaxed atmosphere in the workplace, flip-flops and their variations became acceptable. Now there can be variations in sole and upper material, with platform soles and outsoles claiming to tone the muscles of the legs and buttocks. All of these are cashing in on the oldest form of footwear.
9. Sales figures are hard to come by, but global sandal sales are estimated to exceed $20 billion, that’s more than the market for sneakers!
10. Long-term use of cheaper versions has been linked to all kinds of foot health problems. Using soft rubber versions that offer some internal arch support and have shock absorbing qualities is much better for the foot.

So now you know some of the key facts about these special sandals! They have a great history from humble beginnings to becoming a global fashion accessory. However, make sure you don’t let fashion dictate your decisions entirely. The cheap version can cause foot damage, so be sure to find sandals made of good quality materials and with well-designed soles and supports. In this way, the success of flip-flops will continue for many years to come in who knows what form…!