Birkenstock: A tradition of quality craftsmanship since 1774
The Birkenstock brand traces its roots to the German Johann Adam Birkenstock, registered in 1774 as a "subject and shoemaker" in local church archives. In 1897 Johann's grandson, Konrad Birkenstock, developed the first contoured insole for use by shoemakers in the production of custom footwear. In 1902 Konrad developed the first flexible arch-support for insertion into factory-made shoes. In 1964 Karl Birkenstock developed these inserts into a shoe - thus producing the original prototype of the Birkenstock sandal.
1774:
In a small German village, Johann Adam Birkenstock is registered as
"subject and shoemaker" in the church archives.
1897: Johann's
grandson, Konrad Birkenstock, develops a concept that would literally change
the shape of footwear. Although the soles of our feet are curved, shoes had
always been flat inside. Konrad theorized that if the shape of the shoes
reflected the shape of the feet, greater comfort would be possible. Soon he
designed the first shoe with a contoured insole to be used by shoemakers in the
production of custom footwear.
1902: Konrad
Birkenstock develops the first flexible arch support, to be inserted in the
factory-made shoes that have become widely distributed in Germany.
1925: Carl Birkenstock
joins the company. Birkenstock arch supports are now being exported to Austria,
Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Luxembourg,
Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
1932: Birkenstock
training seminars and lectures become well known in most European countries.
Leading medical specialists support the seminars and the Birkenstock system.
1964: Carl
Birkenstock's son, Karl, takes his grandfather's contoured arch support concept
one step further -- as a shoe. The Birkenstock sandal is born.
Birkenstock Madrid
Sandal
1966: While on
vacation in Germany, Margot Fraser seeks relief from uncomfortable shoes and
the tiring effects of walking all day on hard pavement. At a spa, someone
suggests that she try Birkenstocks.
Margot enjoys
immediate comfort with her first pair of Birkenstocks. Moreover, she finds that
the chronic foot pain she had endured for years simply vanished within months
after she returned home to California. Convinced of its health benefits, she
begins importing Birkenstock footwear in America. That was the beginning of
Birkenstock USA in California.
1971: Margot expands
her business to a small San Rafael, CA warehouse.
1973: The Arizona, the
style that has become synonymous with the Birkenstock brand, is introduced.
Birkenstock's popularity explodes during the 1970s.
1985: By the beginning
of the 80s, Birkenstock is a household word throughout the country. The
continually expanding Birkenstock line now features over 40 style/color
combinations.
1996: Birkenstock USA
celebrates its 30th anniversary. Birkenstock offers almost 300 style/color
combinations, and the footwear is distributed to millions of people throughout
the United States.
1997: Margot Fraser
and Birkenstock USA receive several prestigious awards of recognition from the
footwear industry. Awards included the Ernst and Young 1997 Retail Entrepreneur
of the Year in Northern California (one of ten top businesses to receive this
award); the Novato Chamber of Commerce 1997 Large Business of the Year; and
induction into the Footwear News Hall of Fame in honor of extraordinary
business practices, outstanding contributions to the Marin County community,
and for dramatically influencing what Americans wear on their feet.
2002: In October 2002,
Birkenstock USA announced that the company was 100 percent employee owned.
Margot Fraser, the company founder, passed on the remaining shares of the
business she founded more than 35 years earlier, to her successors – the
employees who continue to help build the Birkenstock USA company.
Birkenstock Boston
Clog
2002: Birkenstock
celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Boston clog!
2003: Known as a
comfort icon for the past three decades, Birkenstock's famous Arizona two-strap
sandal celebrates its 30-year anniversary in 2003. It's unique shape pioneered
the idea of form following function. Today, the Arizona is a steadfast old
friend and a hip, on-trend style for the fashionable set.
2006: The company
celebrates its 40th Anniversary in the U.S.
_____________________________________________________________________________________Sources: Wikipedia.org, Birkenstockusa.com
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