Creepers, elevators- whatever you call them- platform shoes have been around forever; At least since 1951- the year this ad appeared in The Bend Bulletin. “5-soles-high” thanks to our man-on-the-street in Oregon, Mick from Red Fishing Boat for clipping this:
“Shine like a russel-red apple!” The copy in these old ads is poetic. Walter’s Buster Brown Shoe Store was/is not related to Walter’s Shoe Care from Canada, makers of accessories like these leather insoles: