Dr. Martens Maccy Mary Jane (Little Kid/Big Kid)

Product details: - Fabric type: 100% Man Made - Care instructions: Machine Wash - Sole material: Man Made - Platform height: 0.5"

About this item: - Round-toe Mary Jane with signature Airwave soles - Lightly padded collar - Adjustable hook-and-loop strap

Dr. Martens is a legendary brand that has a fascinating origin story. The journey began in 1945 near Munich, Germany when Dr. Klaus Maertens suffered a foot injury while skiing in the Bavarian Alps. To make walking more comfortable during the healing process, he designed a shoe with an air-cushioned sole. By using old rubber tires, he constructed soles with air trapped within closed compartments. After showing his prototype to his engineer/inventor friend, Dr. Herbert Funck, they joined forces to develop and produce these innovative shoes.

Not only did the shoe solve the doctor's immediate problem, but it also gained popularity in Germany. By 1959, Dr. Maertens and Dr. Funck realized the potential for their product to be successful on a global scale and decided to establish a company to produce and distribute the shoes, then known as Dr. Maertens, in other parts of the world.

Initially, many manufacturers rejected the concept of an air-cushioned sole, dismissing it as a short-lived gimmick. However, the R. Griggs Group, located in the village of Wollaston in England, saw the potential and created the first work boot with the revolutionary sole. On April 1st, 1960, they produced the first cherry red eight-eyelet work boot, which was named 1460. To appeal to a broader audience in England, the name was changed to Dr. Martens. The range was branded AirWair, and the rest is history.

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