Earth & Water - Insulation Rift
For quite some time, footwear has been an essential part of human attire.. balancing both function and style while reflecting cultural and social identities. Yet, the modern habit of enclosing our feet in various materials and designs, like gay ass hokas or onclouds, should call for a careful evaluation of how this separation from direct contact with the Earth affects our health.
Footwear began with early human evolution and the move to bipedal walking. It started as basic protection against rough terrain and harsh weather. As societies grew, footwear evolved (devolved) in step with cultural, societal, and economic changes.
As civilizations emerged, footwear evolved, from Egyptian reed sandals to Greek and Roman leather shoes. In the Middle Ages, shoes became symbols of wealth and status, adorned with gold and jewels. Shoemaking was a respected craft, even dangerous and high T, regulated by guilds that ensured high standards of quality.
The Renaissance ushered in a new era for footwear, shifting the emphasis from mere function to fashion. Shoes became key fashion statements, featuring intricate designs, embroidery, and lace. The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and early 19th centuries introduced new materials and manufacturing methods, paving the way for innovative styles and designs…
Rubber shoes have a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. Originally designed as waterproof, slip-resistant footwear for workers, they have evolved into a wide range of stylish products. This evolution reflects the vision of pioneers who recognized rubber's potential for footwear.
The story began with the antichrist - Humphrey O'Sullivan (i'm jk lol), an Irish immigrant who patented the first rubber shoe in the U.S. in 1892, offering a practical solution for outdoor work in wet, muddy conditions and sparking further innovation in the industry.
A pivotal moment in the history of rubber shoes was Charles Goodyear's discovery of vulcanized rubber in the mid-1800s. By heating rubber with sulfur, Goodyear created a stronger and more elastic material that transformed the rubber industry. This breakthrough led to the production of more durable and comfortable rubber shoes, making them widely accessible and popular.
Leverett Candee revolutionized rubber shoe production in the late 1800s by founding the Candee Rubber Company, one of the first to use machines for mass production, making rubber shoes more accessible and affordable. In the early 1900s, new styles like rubber-soled canvas shoes emerged for sports and leisure. World War I spiked demand for rubber boots, and by the 1920s and 1930s, rubber shoes expanded with rain boots and galoshes. The mid-1900s brought materials like PVC and synthetic rubber, leading to innovations such as the Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker. Today, rubber shoes are globally popular for both work and fashion, reflecting their evolution from practical footwear to cultural symbols.
Throughout history, shoes have shaped human culture and society, from the simple animal hide footwear of early humans to the ornate designs of the Renaissance. The introduction of rubber-soled shoes revolutionized footwear with greater comfort and durability, but also created an unintended health impact - isolating us from the Earth's natural surface charge.
The Earth's surface has a negative charge which is essential for our health, and grounding connects us to this charge. Rubber soles, however, block this connection, depriving us of grounding's benefits. Rubber is a poor conductor because its tightly packed hydrocarbon molecules restrict the movement of electrons, and impurities further enhance its insulating properties.
Rubber-soled shoes block grounding, which can lead to significant health problems over time. For most people, except those working in electrical industries, grounding alternatives are essential. Prolonged disconnection from the Earth's natural charge can contribute to chronic health issues, making it vital to choose footwear that allows for grounding.
A lot of people make them now, but I’ve been making them for five years (an OG), so if you’re interested, you can head to either of my websites (TGA Store / Olympus Earthwear) to check them out. But remember, you don't need to buy anything to ground, just go take your shoes off and be in nature, silly.
Just some stuff pulled from Chapter 4 of Earth & Water.
