Demi Zhao
Simple. Classic. Unique. These are just a few words to describe Dr. Martens boots. Its legacy unfolds six decades ago and still continues nowadays. Featuring a simple silhouette, 8 eyelets, smooth leather, grooved sides, heel-loop, iconic yellow-stitching, and comfortable, air-cushioned sole, Dr. Martens never goes out of style.
Origin. If every object tells a story, then Dr. Martens’ started in 1945. Dr. Klaus Maertens, a 25-year-old-soldier, had returned to Munich after the second World War. While convalescing a broken foot, he created a unique air-cushioned sole, instead of the traditional stiff leather sole, to aid his recovery.
Using a needle and a salvaged cobbler’s last, Maertens fashioned a prototype shoe and presented it to his former classmate Dr. Herbert Funk, a mechanical engineer. They soon became business partners and began using discarded military supplies to produce their innovative shoes.
Innovation.
At first, their shoes were most selling to older women by 1947. A decade later, in 1959, they started to advertise their revolutionary footwear invention in overseas magazines, which later attracted the Griggs company, who already had a reputation for making sturdy shoes and work boots in England invest in their air-cushioned sole in 1960.
Perfection. After the Griggs company acquired an exclusive license, a few fundamental changes were made: an altered heel to improve the fit, a bulbous but simple upper, nowadays distinctive yellow welt stitching, and rebranded ‘Airwair’ sole unit. Taking its name from the date of its inception, April 1st, 1960, the eight-holed 1460 Dr. Martens boot had arrived.
Technology
Craftsmanship.
That’s the charm of Dr. Martens. Dr. Martens boots are excellent in their design primarily because of the co-existence of simplicity and self-expression. The silhouette is simple enough to go with any outfit,
becoming parts of each individual and a distinctive style while still sharing a united spirit. People wear the same boots but convey different vibes.
The enduring charm also comes from its durable quality, affordable price, and comfortable wearing experience. Initially worn by factory workers, Dr. Marten’s first few years of existence was only a £2 work-wear boot, selling substantial quantities to Britain’s working classes. The birth of revolutionary AirWair sole was also based on people’s need— to protect our delicate feet— and suited for a heavy workload.
Durable. Affordable. Comfortable.
More importantly, Dr. Martens boots were iconic and long-lasting designs that make them become a cultural generator. By the late-seventies, Dr. Martens 1460 boots, picked by early multi-cultural, ska-loving skinheads, manifest British working-class style.
Cultural Generator. Shortly after, Pete Townshend, guitarist and the secondary lead vocalist of The Who, chose Dr. Martens to symbolize his working-class pride and rebellious attitude. Since then, the originally functional work-wear boot transcended into a subcultural essential.
Confidence.
Good Designs? Good designs, in general, are not overly complicated nor expensive. They prioritize customer’s needs while being innovative and distinctive from past generations. They fit into everyday life while bringing qualitative improvements. They also find a perfect balance between craftsmanship and mass-production with the advent of technologies. Dissolving into mundane life but endowing each wearer with a unique voice and attitude, Dr. Martens demonstrated what are “good designs.�