This shoe ad was in a Boston Globe Newspaper from the early 1960s. Beck shoes had a couple shops in Massachusetts, and had fresh graphic arts that spoke to the forever young.
Back in the day..
Eating while walking is certainly not a crime. Dripping sauce on yourself is a foul. Crumbs that may drop keep birds alive. Pret a Manger is not a bad place to get something quick to eat on-the-go in Manhattan. I ate-walked a half-sandwich from there the other day- had to take a quick picture of a poster they had advertising how their food is not made to last like shoes.
Remember these ?
Just a parting reminder
Earl Anthony 8000s were said to be by Married With Children’s Al Bundy to be the world’s best bowling shoes.
If there weren’t a company called Brooklyn Boot by now, wouldn’t you be surprised? While not made in Bushwick, Flatbush or Midwood NYC- the Brooklyn Boot Company is transparent about their naming and offerings. The small line of classically designed workboots are to be manufactured in Martinsburg Pennsylvania. Leather uppers and linings sewn to some Vibrams sounds hard-to-hate. The bootstrap I see may assist pulling up, but also adds meat against the possibility that your pant leg droops over the rear heel- the dreaded pant-leg conditionthat affects many. I look forward to seeing if these things are pretty on the inside too.
Image: Brooklyn Boot Company YouTube video
Jumpman Jumpman
You’ve no doubt heard about this photographer suing Nike for using his image as the pattern for the jumpman logo that has appeared on their Jordan-branded sneakers and gear since before many of you were born.
Nike Air Jordan XX9 Black History Month shoe
Not a lawyer- I just feel like.. what about the Polo guy and his horse? This insignia has been around for a spell. For a history lesson on the logo, Jordans and jumping men, you can’t start at better place than this nice piece byNiceKicks.com.
On the lighter side, Nike is playfully feeling the feels of pop culture fundamentalists to deliver on the self-lacers worn my Marty McFly Jr. in the movie Back To The Future II. The company has patents for the complex designs. Tinker is on board. At very least, footwear like this could be great for injured folks, and others with limited mobility.
For all you able-bodies: Tie your own shoes. Yes it would be novel to see real McFlys in action, but many would be much happier if they could simply find some decent 45-inch boot laces. You burn calories tying shoes. How much would these self-lacers cost? Would we need certified technicians? You might be better off grabbing some Mauri crocodiles and saving the difference for that hoverboard.
Mauri Swamp 8690
As much of a reader as a writer- and a guy still learning about women’s footwear- I enjoyed the many stories about shoe business pioneer Vince Camuto, who died this month at age 78.
Popdiatry would like to thank Carl Landerholm, president of the Brockton Historical Society for giving us an exclusive tour of the Brockton Shoe Museum on the last day of 2014.
A cobbler’s workbench and tool set as seen at the Brockton Shoe Museum
The museum- located 45 minutes south of Boston in Brockton Massachusetts– contains exhibits that trace the history of American shoe manufacturing with machines, products and ephemera from pre-revolution ’til Y2K. With permission, I’m sharing a few pictures.
Behold the Krippendorh Kalculator as seen at the Brockton Shoe Museum
The machine above, a Krippendorf Kalculator, was used to maximize leather surface cutting as in the manner shown below by enabling super precise measurements per piece.
The Brockton Shoe Museum is currently open twice a month (every other Sunday) or by special appointment.
The Brockton Historical Society,Inc.
216 North Pearl Street (Rte. 27)
Brockton, MA 02041
(Exit 18B off Route 24)
508-583-1039
Encased in glass, pardon the reflection-
Brockton Shoe Museum: Shoes worn by former US presidents George Bush and Gerald Ford
Among other notable donations, they have footwear displayed from four US presidents as well as ones worn by boxers Rocky Marciano and Primo Carnera.
Brockton Shoe Museum: Sneakers worn by former US presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy CarterBoxing shoe worn by champion fighter Rocky Marciano
They have a lot of Auntie Anne’s pretzel outposts at the Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey. There was also a Vans store, where I was able to get this checkered stocking pic to lead off this month’s Pop-gallery.
Drillbit heels in the deadpile outside East Village Shoe Repair in Brooklyn.
Sneaker specific pawn spots, like this one on Broadway..
Here’s one I wish I had when I wrote aboutDexter brand shoes last summer. I discovered my grandmother had a swell pair of classic made-in-USA Dexters in her closet.
Staying hydrated during long walks is important, and sometimes you’re going to want something other than plain water. Everyone has their favorite thing at Philadelphia’s bustling Reading Terminal Market eatery. I declare this as my favorite drink there: the Victory Thirst Quencher- a standout from the wonderful selection of fresh drinks at Lanc. Co. Dairy .
I had a chance to chat with the friendly folks from Bumbums & Baubles footwear- a rising star in the world of kids’ shoes- specifically shoes for young girls.
Bumbums Grape Pop Sadie Sandals (mybumbums.com)
Each pair of Bumbums girls’ shoes comes with a pair of accesories called baubles– small ornaments that can be optionally attached to various parts of the shoes, other garments, or wherever the imagination directs.
Alternate baubles can be purchased separately and inexpensively. The creators of Bumbums hope to inject some pizzaz and playfulness into girls’ footwear while appeasing the moms who often make the purchases. Some of their shoes have a vulcanized skater/Vansy look, and I’m told that may be the influence of a former Supra designer they have working on the current line. Check B&B out in-depth at MyBumbums.com
DJ Freddy Blassie with some perfectly untied Nikes
Why not use a baby Doc as a pen holder like Bleecker Street Records?
A leather belt I got for $14 at Marshalls is being sprayed with Meltonian #651 to match some very special shoes… Thanks East Village Shoe Repair.
Here at Popdiatry, we’ve been writing about the Berry Amendment, and the sense of having U.S. armed forces gear being domestically made. But I go to a store and see these cheap made-in-China boots branded by the US Army- with a dog tag? I’m writing my congress person ASAP! These boots are hideous, and whoever OK’d this should be peeling potatoes.
Have you heard of Because International– the shoe that is meant to be adjustable from size 5 to a size 12?
A still of a sketch from Vimeo.com/TobinRogers African kids try out some prototypes of adjustable size shoes. Still from Vimeo.com/TobinRogers
The creator of these wants a lasting shoe that can be adjusted according to the growth spurts of school-aged children with the use of straps and snaps. It’s a great idea. I’d be interested in seeing if it can be achieved in a non-janky manner.
Some day, touch screen devices will be able to transmit a true sense of touch. You’d be able to run your finger over this shot of the collaboration Viberg Boots did with Leffot (Manhattan) and feel the eye-catching grain of the triple bullhide.
Instagram.com/leffot
These beasts went available for pre-order on Leffot’s site Saturday. Are you on the list?
“Joe leaves big shoes to fill – on and off the field… “saidTampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn about Joe Maddon, who announced Saturday he’d be opting out as the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team coach for 2015.
New Balance umpire shoes
Which reminds me; I was flicking through the Zappos app the other day and saw these New Balance MU950 (made in China) “umpire” shoes. According to NewBalance.com the 950 series is the official on-field footwear of Major League Baseball umpires. I like the look of that sole; I’d call it ‘cleat lite’. They even have other styles with big pads over the lace deck. Surely a hit for your umpire Halloween costume.
New Balance screenshot from Eastbay.com
Random
Rapper Shoes: A still of some Birdmans from the Rich Gang video for “Lifestyle”
There was something else I was going to write about but I have to hop off now. I’ll leave you with this authentic robo-crafted piece of spam-poetry. Think of it as an online fortune of sorts: Click to enlarge.
First off, this post was created using Handcrafted Artisanal Internet:
Take a close look. Take a closer look. The ones on the left are animalistic, but use no real animal parts. They ones on the right are worn by the dreamer upper of both pairs- Rachel Eisley for Gotham City Leatherwork.
Ernie Papp, the lead singer of Ten Ton Mojo performs barefoot at Trash Bar in Brooklyn last Thursday.
Pardon the blur. Some faux-didas repping PR spotted in the East Village Shoe Repair deadpile.
We started an Instagram for Popdiatry. At first I wasn’t sure what I should post. Good pictures would be used here, but since I started writing for Pop D, I’ve been spotting more discarded footwear than ever. So our Instagram will be mostly abandoned, thrown away shoes- like these above spotted on Broadway in Brooklyn, NY.
NBA is back in a couple weeks! Didja see the clip of Laker’s Ronnie Pricethrowing his Nike (after it fell off) at Golden State Warrior Andre Iguodala?
Attention: Used Derek Jeter game socks are on sale from Steiner Sports Memorabilia for only $409.99. Peep the screenshot.
Not a joke
Since you bought a baseball player’s sock for so much, it put a huge dent in your basketball sneaker budget and you can no longer afford $240 forthese newTitolo Reebok pumps. No problem because Shaquille O’Neal now has his own inexpensive brand of high-tops available at Walmart.
Pic by Funyagi
It’s no secret that Nike is chomping their competition in worldwide sneaker and apparel sales. Rival Adidas went and hired three Nike design vetsand will stick them in a Brooklyn design studioin hopes they can carve a bigger piece of the North American pie.
Since you bought that Jeter sock, you won’t have enough for a pair of these $400 New Balance Horween leather models
ubiqlife.com
Bus to Philly for a chance to buy some of these limited edition U.S. made NBs on October 1st: $11
ubiqlife.com
It appears the New BalanceBerry-compliant 950v2 models we talked about earlier this year may be closer to hitting real ground.
New Balance
Members of congress visited a New Balance biomechanical research/prototype lab in Lawrence, Massachusetts last month to see how an athletic sneaker is made entirely in The United States using US materials. The Department of Defense is expected to make a decision soon about enforcing a rules that states new military recruits should buy products (sneakers) made in the USA with their vouchers. Read the full article in Navy Times.
Pssst. There’s still a few days to see the Shoerageousexhibit put on by Creativity Explored in San Francisco, CA. There you’ll see a handpicked collection of drawings and sculpture inspired by the shoe and sneaker.
You already know right? Basketball star Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace..
mettaworldpeace.com
He’s playing for the Sichuan Blue Whales in the Chinese Basketball Association this year.
twitter.com/MettaWorldPeace
Art came to life via sneakers and books available for sale directly from Metta’s World Wide Website.
From MettaWorldPeace.com
twitter.com/mettaworldpeace
What more can I say? He’s top billing.
You are going to get it; shoes with blood designed onto them. The NBA’s Dwyane Wade posted them first.
Grabbed from instagram.com/dwyanewade
Sneakers actually; just in time for Halloween from Li-Ning. They might have something promotional to do with a cable TV show about a killer. Surely they’ll be great to wear at job interviews and other dress-to-impress occasions.
Grabbed from instagram.com/dwyanewade
Not to be misread as the shoe company Dexter– the old school New England brand whose founder is said to have started the country’s first factory-outlet…
DexterBowling.com
Readers may recognize Dexter as the inexpensive offerings seen on JC Penny, Payless, and Sears shelves. Did you know Dexter has a deluxe bowling category and sell what they claim is the world’s most advanced bowling shoe– the SST 8, featuring removable heels and soles?
Visualiser at dexterbowling.com
What are.
The most expensive shoes in the world ?
What more can you say about the shoes Nick Cannon wore hosting an America’s Got Talent TV show? Shown above kindly removing before walking on a performer’s smart dress…
Grabbed from instagram.com/jasonofbh
Cannon and Tom Ford brought them to life in the form of diamond encrusted loafers. Jason the jeweler tags them at 2 million. Chances are they’ll be auctioned off for charity; then we’ll see if they fetch more than some $666,000 ruby red slippers that Judy Garland had worn while filming Wizard of Oz did at a Christie’s auction fourteen years ago.
Smithsonian
According to Guinness, no one knows how many red shoes Garland used in the production of W.O.O. The above pic is from the Smithsonian (not the pair auctioned).
One more thing: Toe cameras put the sneak in sneaker.
A Japanese law-enforcement official points out the pinhead camera embedded in a brand of sneakers which have already sold 2,500 pairs while society figures out if they should be legal. It’s a law tightrope, because multiple cameras on just about everything we wear are “OK” (really though?) , but being so easily able to take photos upwardly, undetected… skirt wearers take note.
This shoe ad was in a Boston Globe Newspaper from the early 1960s. Beck shoes had a couple shops in Massachusetts, and had fresh graphic arts that spoke to the forever young. 
