MATERIALS USED FOR SHOES
Shoes have been made of various materials, depending on the raw material available and the varying climatic conditions in different parts of the world. Leather has been the principal material for making shoes. Throughout time, the first material used for shoes and the most widely available, leather has also proved to have the most suitable qualities.(Encyclopedia Americana, 24)
Vulcanized rubber has been increasingly used for footwear in the 20th century. Synthetic rubber, discovered during World War II by Waldo Semon, is now the most important shoemaking material, providing hardwearing, waterproof soles. Also plastics are used, especially for upper- the part of the shoes that circles the ankle. (Encyclopedia Americana, 24)