The History of Birkenstocks

The History of Birkenstocks By: Jules and Kate

In 1774, the Birkenstock Co. was founded by Johann Adam Birkenstock in Langen-Bergheim, Germany.

Master Cobbler Konrad Birkenstock began manufacturing & selling footbed insoles in 1896.

Then in 1925, the "blue footbed" was among the products manufactured at a newly opened facility in Friedberg, Germany.

In 1964, Karl Birkenstock launches the Madrid Model (shown here). It was the first fitness sandal with a deep and flexible footbed.

Then in 1966, the Birkenstock Co. came to the U.S. market.

In 2016, Birkenstock celebrated 50 years in the United States. The company still thrives with customers each day.

After it spread through Germany, Birkenstocks diffused to the rest of Europe starting with Austria. Next it spread to the United States & the rest of the world. Birkenstocks got their big start during World War by making shoes for wounded soldiers. and it became relocation diffusion when they came back. When the war ended they continued research for making a better shoe.

In the early 1990's, there was a surge of popularity among high school & college aged generation Xers.

During the 2004 US presidential primary, some conversations derived Howard Dean's supporters as "Birkenstock Liberals".

In the US, it was first popular among young men & later on, flower children, a group associated with American Liberalism.

In 2013, Birkenstock continued to be popular in high schools & college aged young adults. This is due to hierarchical diffusion and the haute couture brand Celine's 2013 Spring Ready-To-Wear collection. In the collection, a furry version of Birkenstocks made an appearance in a lot of outfits, then became common in lots of runway shows, & on multiple celebrities feet. Birkenstocks are sold at more high end department stores, for example, Dillard's, Norestrum, Macy's, etc. they are also sold at sporting & outdoor store like Bear Mountain & KEI. They recently started selling more popularly on Amazon & Zappos, which are online stores.

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Created with images by nateen08650 - "beach sea summer" • FraukeFeind - "sandals shoes mountain pine"

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The History of Birkenstocks By: Jules and Kate

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